IPL 2021 : All countries, barring South Africa, Bangladesh, commit their players till IPL final

Every cricket board, barring Bangladesh and South Africa, have committed to give NoCs to their players who will be partaking in the Indian Premier League. South Africa, which have a series scheduled against Pakistan, is yet to revert back.

Even though historically England always call back their centrally-contracted players for the Test series, they have promised that if a player is a regular member of the IPL, they are ready to allow their players to continue till the finals. That means those players will miss the Test series against New Zealand but that is fine by the ECB.

“In the event of ECB Selectors wishing to select a player for the 1st Test v New Zealand whose franchise has made it through to the knock-out stages of the Tournament, but who is not featuring in the starting XI, the relevant franchise is requested to release such player early so that they can participate in the Test Match,” the BCCI advised the teams, reported Cricbuzz.

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Meanwhile, the BCCI also confirmed the full availability of the Australian and New Zealand players even though the Sheffield Shield will resume in Australia in a short while.

“The last round of Sheffield Shield, Australia’s domestic first-class cricket competition is scheduled on 3rd April 2021. The final of the Sheffield Shield will be held from 15th-19th April 2021. The NOC will be given to players selected for IPL from 1st April 2021,” the BCCI mail said.

South Africa keeps the cards close to their chest

South Africa currently have a fair representation in the IPL and the teams worried about the same ahead of the IPL auction. However, the confirmation hasn’t arrived from the South Africa board room yet.