As the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is about to begin from the September 19th, fans have already geared themselves up for the upcoming tournament. Due to the overpowering outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in India, the tournament will be held in the UAE under the bio-secure environment with some restrictions.
However, the involvement of South African players at the beginning of the tournament remains uncertain. The South African government has put the entire country under lockdown in response to the health crisis, many of services such as International travel remain suspended till the end of September.
Due to that some crucial South African including Ab de Villiers, Quinton de Kock, Dale Steyn, Chris Morris and others will most probably not be a part of the league in the initial stages. Chris Morris was one of the most valuable buys in the IPL 2020 auctions as he jagged up a price of INR 10 crores by the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
The limitations executed have also stopped Proteas’ players other than Imran Tahir from participating in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), starting from August 18. Tahir, who was in Pakistan due to the lockdown, was able to make it on time for the CPL. He will also be accessible for his franchise Chennai Super Kings (CSK) throughout the tournament.
Royals Challengers Bangalore- the most affected side in IPL 2020:
The impact of all this would have to be endured most by RCB, who is yet to win an edition of the extravaganza. The franchise has most of it’s players of first-choice overseas from South Africa and would need plentiful clearances to get their players to partake in the tournament. The officials are likely to send a single flight for all nine Proteas’ athletes aside from Imran Tahir.
SA players with IPL contracts – AB de Villiers (RCB), Quinton de Kock (MI), Dale Steyn (RCB), Chris Morris (RCB), Kagiso Rabada (DC), Lungi Ngidi (CSK), Faf Du Plessis (CSK), Imran Tahir (CSK), David Miller (RR), Hardus Viljoen (KXIP)
