5 players pull out , IPL to go on

As India continues to reel under the second wave of Covid many players pulling out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021, mid-way into the ongoing season. Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and some Australian players withdrawing from the league amid the escalating COVID-19 crisis in India even as the BCCI insisted that the glitzy league will go on. Royal Challengers Bangalore's overseas recruits Adam Zampa and Kane Richardson became the latest foreign players to leave the tournament and return home to Australia, the franchise announced on Monday.

Both players have taken the drastic decision to leave citing 'personal reasons'. 14 cricketers from Australia are still plying their trade for the 8 franchises in the competition. Zampa and Richardson's withdrawal takes the overall list to 5 players who will miss the remainder of IPL 2021. Rajasthan Royals fast bowler Andrew Tye was the first Aussie to return home, again due to personal reasons. Apart from the 3 Aussies, Ravichandran Ashwin and Liam Livingstone are also not going to take any further part in the tournament. Delhi Capitals off-spinner Ashwin is the only player among the five who has blamed Covid as the reason behind his withdrawal. RR's batting all-rounder Liam Livingstone flew back to England last week, citing "bubble fatigue accumulated over the past year".

As many as 14 Australian players now remain in the event, including stars such as Steve Smith (DC), David Warner (SunRisers Hyderabad) and Pat Cummins (Kolkata Knight Riders), as well as coaches Ricky Ponting (DC) and Simon Katich (RCB).Commentators Matthew Hayden, Brett Lee, Michael Slater and Lisa Sthalekar are also among the Australians involved with the league right now. Earlier, Rajasthan Royals' South African bowling all-rounder Chris Morris, who is the costliest player in the IPL, had spoken about how the COVID situation in India has become a talking point in the team meetings.