Will Australian Players Pull Out Of IPL?:

Australian cricket governing body Cricket Australia (CA) might ask its players not to play in IPL amid the deadly coronavirus concerns according to media outlets of Australia.

According to the newspaper, the Australian cricket body might consider whether to permit its player to go to India for IPL and UK for The Hundred series.

There are nearly 17 players who are part of different IPL franchises.  The newspaper in its report mentioned that there is a possibility of CA asking some of its top players like pacer Pat Cummins, former skipper Steve Smith, opener David Warner and all-rounder Glenn Maxwell to lose their IPL contracts.

Incidentally, Cummins is the highest-paid foreign player in the history of IPL where his contract is worth 3.2 USD with Kolkata Knight Riders, whereas all-rounder Maxwell has been bought for the U.S.$ 2.2 million by Kings XI Punjab.

However, Cricket Australia Chief Executive Kevin Roberts said that the cricket body does not direct its players officially on this matter and also added that the players are individually contracted to their IPL teams and can decide whether to play in the premier league or skip it.

He further said, “We can provide advice. We’re conscious of the fact that Australian players are individually contracted to the IPL and the time will certainly come very soon where players are going to be really interested and leaning on our perspective as their leader… to advise them in that regard,”

He went on to say, “And then there will also be a perspective from the BCCI and their IPL division within that and together with our players and the BCCI, I am sure players will reach the best possible decisions in uncertain circumstances.”

Will IPL Be Held This Year?:

India has so far reported 120 positive cases of coronavirus where three people died from it. As a result of the virus scare IPL which was supposed to begin on March 29th has been pushed to April 15th.

The final call about conducting the tournament will be taken in the coming weeks based on the situation pertaining to the coronavirus prevalence.