Ashley Giles, the managing director of the England men’s team has stated that England’s centrally contracted players are likely to miss the remainder of the IPL 2021, wherever and whenever the tournament resumes.
While talking to media on Monday, the former English spinner admitted that England’s schedule for the summer is incredibly busy. England will welcome India and Pakistan for two series before the ICC Men’s T-20 World Cup and the management wants to look after their players.
“None of us knows what a rearranged IPL looks like at the moment; where it’s going to be or when. But from when we start this summer against New Zealand, our programme is incredibly busy.”
At the start of last week, BCCI decided to indefinitely suspend IPL 2021 after multiple players and staff were tested positive for COVID-19. BCCI is looking for a window to resume the season, possibly after they host the T20 World Cup in October. Various options are being explored by the BCCI, the front-runner for the contingency is the United Arab Emirates.
Some English counties and Sri Lanka have offered to host the remainder of the IPL 2021 in September this year. Since the cricket calendar is jam-packed throughout 2021, it will be difficult for BCCI to find a window to have all players available for other franchises.
India and England are set to lock horns in the five-match Test series in the UK this year. The series will take place in August. After the suspension of IPL 2021, BCCI has turned attention to international cricket. BCCI President Sourav Ganguly has announced that team India will be travelling to Sri Lanka for three ODIs and five T20Is in July. Team India will face New Zealand in the final of the ICC World Test Championship between June 18-22 at the Rose Bowl Cricket Ground in the UK.