Australian players stranded at the postponed IndianPremier League (IPL) will either stay back in India or move to a third countryas Cricket Australia (CA) and Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA) onTuesday made it clear that they would not seek exemptions to their nationalgovernment's norms.
The Australian government has suspended all flights fromIndia till May 15, leaving around 9,000 Aussies, including cricketers andformer cricketers in IPL, stranded in the country that is reeling under thepandemic with fresh Covid-19 cases between 3.5-4 lakh being reported daily.
"CA and the ACA respect the decision of theAustralian Government to pause travel from India until at least May 15 and willnot seek exemptions," said their joint statement on Tuesday.
While three of the Aussie players in IPL – Adam Zampa,Kane Richardson (Royal Challengers Bangalore) and Andrew Tye (Rajasthan Royals)– left for Australia before the government imposed flight ban, the remainingcricketers stayed back.
Umpire Paul Reiffel decided to return but could not ashis flight via Qatar too was canceled. Commentator Michael Slater had toescape to the Maldives and lashed out at the government that was not allowing entryto its citizens from India.
The statement added that the two Aussie bodies backIndian cricket board's decision to postpone IPL with the CA being in directcontact with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to ensure safepassage to players.
"CA and the ACA understand the decision of the BCCIto indefinitely postpone the 2021 Indian Premier League for the safety and the wellbeing of all participants," the statement said.
"CA is in direct contact with the BCCI as they workthrough plans to ensure the safe accommodation and repatriation of Australianplayers, coaches, match officials, and commentators back home toAustralia."
On Tuesday, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrisonbacktracked on the possibility of jailing those arriving to Australian shoresfrom India following heavy criticism back home.
Earlier on Tuesday, BCCI had announced the postponementof IPL through a statement. The decision was made after more Covid-19 positivecases emerged in the IPL bio-bubble following those on Monday.
"The Indian Premier League Governing Council andBCCI in an emergency meeting has unanimously decided to postpone IPL 2021season, with immediate effect," said a BCCI statement.
"The BCCI does not want to compromise on the safetyof the players, support staff, and the other participants involved in organizingthe IPL. This decision was taken keeping the safety, health and wellbeing ofall the stakeholders in mind," it said.
The BCCI confirmed that all players will return to theirfamilies after it emerged that SunRisers Hyderabad's(SRH) Wriddhiman Saha inDelhi and Delhi Capitals' (DC) Amit Mishra in Ahmedabad tested positive onTuesday.
On Monday, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) bowling coachLaxmipathy Balaji and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) bowlers Varun Chakravarthyand Sandeep Warrier, had tested positive along with the ground staff at theArun Jaitley Stadium. That forced three teams - KKR, CSK, and DC to go intoisolation. However, more positive cases on Tuesday made it impossible for theleague to continue.