NEW DELHI: IPL chairman Brijesh Patel on Tuesday said the BCCI will “find a way” to send the league’s foreign recruits back to their respective countries after the event was suspended indefinitely due to a COVID-19 outbreak in its bio-bubble.
The suspension of the tournament was announced after SunRisers Hyderabad’s wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha tested positive for COVID-19 along with Delhi Capitals’ veteran spinner Amit Mishra.
“We need to send them home and we will find a way to do that,” Brijesh told PTI when asked how the foreigners will return home but did not elaborate beyond that.
The foreigners involved in the lucrative league are concerned about returning to their respective countries due to travel restrictions imposed in the wake of a deadly resurgence of the pandemic in India. The BCCI had assured foreign players of a safe return earlier as well. The IPL had 14 Australian players left, after three pullouts a few days ago, along with 10 from New Zealand and 11 Englishmen.
South Africa had 11 players in the league, which also featured nine West Indians, three Afghans and two from Bangladesh.
New Zealand Cricket expressed faith in BCCI’s ability to handle the situation.
—PTI

Press Trust of India