IPL 2021: Chris Lynn requests chartered flight from CA for Australian players’ safe return after IPL
Mumbai Indians (MI) batsman Chris Lynn has requested Cricket Australia (CA) to arrange a chartered flight to bring back national players safely from India post the ongoing season of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The IPL 2021 is being held within bio-secure arrangements in Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata, Ahmedabad and Bangalore, even as the country outside these bubbles is experiencing the devastating effects of the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic.
From the Australian perspective, as many as three players – Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa and Kane Richardson – have already returned home. But big names like Steve Smith, David Warner and Pat Cummins still remain with their respective franchises.
As CA contacted its IPL-bound Australian players on Monday (April 26) to enquire over their health and travel plans, Chris Lynn informed he requested the board to arrange for their safe home return post the IPL 2021 via a chartered flight.
Chris Lynn requests for chartered flight from CA for Australian players’ safe return after IPL
“I texted back that as Cricket Australia make 10% of every IPL contract, was there a chance we could spend that money this year on a charter flight once the tournament is over?” Chris Lynn told News Corp media.
“I know there are people worse off than us. But we are going from a really tight bubble and are getting vaccinated next week, so hopefully the government will let us get home on a private charter.”
“We are not asking for shortcuts and we signed up knowing the risks. But it would be great to get home as soon as the event is over.”
There was no immediate comment on the issue from CA, but it is understood that the Australian government could consider a proposal on Tuesday (April 27) to suspend all flights from India. The government’s aim is to prevent the entrance of any coronavirus variants inside their borders.
The Australian government confirmed last week that it would limit the number of its citizens able to return from India and other red-zone listed countries.
Coming back to Chris Lynn, the player said he has no plans to follow the path taken in the last few days by Tye, Zampa and Richardson and will be staying in India for the entire IPL 2021. And though the stringent bio-security protocols have taken a mental toll on a host of other cricketers, Chris Lynn mentioned he is “comfortable” despite the regulations.
“I feel comfortable in this environment. We made the decision to come here and we know the risk. Obviously, India is in chaos at the moment. But we are at least giving people something to smile about by playing the tournament,” said Chris Lynn.