IPL Phase 2 Is Less Than a Month Away : More Players Opt Out and Other Updates

The second leg of the current Indian Premier League season is just less than a month away. Kicking off on September 19, the phase 2 of VIVO IPL 2021 will still be participated by 8 teams and will have 31 more matches to be all held in the UAE. The 14th season of the league is set to conclude on October 15 just two days before the T20 World Cup begins.

As we get closer to the big day, more and more updates are getting released including the players who are now available to play and the ones who have already opted out of the season. Fans are tuned in to learn of these updates as this could affect the performance of the squads involved. This is especially the case for people who are into IPL online betting.

It has been tough scheduling the suspended season as the cricket calendar has been packed this year. However, certain tours have been canceled including the Afghanistan ODI series. 

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has already confirmed the availability of English and Australian players for the remainder of the IPL in the UAE. However, the players are still given the choice to push through or give a pass on participating in the 2nd leg of the tournament.

Players Missing IPL 2021 Phase 2 in the UAE

There are already cricketers who have announced their non-involvement in the IPL next month including Australian Kolkata Knight Riders player Pat Cummins. Cummins has spoken about thin YouTube and said that he probably won’t be going to the IPL.

Cummins explained, “Unfortunately, at this stage, I probably won’t be going to the IPL. I haven’t made an official call on it but my partner is pregnant and our baby is due basically right in the middle of the IPL. 

“At the moment, there is a travel restriction getting back to Australia [and]you got to do 2 weeks quarantine. There is probably going to be some days quarantine going to UAE [too]. So, for the second half this season, unfortunately, it’s going to be really tough to get over there.

In the same situation as Cummins is England wicketkeeper and batsman Jos Buttler who is supposed to be playing with Rajasthan Royals. Buttler and his wife are expecting the birth of their second child, and so, he won’t be able to fly to the UAE.

Rajasthan Royals tweeted about this to serve as an announcement about the athlete’s decision. The franchise tweeted:

“Jos Buttler will not be part of the remainder of the #IPL2021, as he and Louise are expecting a second child soon. We wish them well, and can’t wait for the newest member of the #RoyalsFamily.”

Aside from these two cricketers, other players who we will not see play on the field next month are Rajasthan Royal’s Jofra Archer due to injury, Delhi Capitals’ Daniel Sams, Royal Challengers Bangalore’s Adam Zampa and Kane Ricardson with personal reasons pertaining to their wellbeing and mental health.

The IPL May Allow Live Spectators Before the Season Ends

While some fans may be saddened to hear that some of their favorite cricketers will not be on the IPL field next month, people in the UAE might have something to look forward to. According to reports, the UAE is likely to allow the return of crowds on the matches before the season ends.

Emirates Cricket Board (ECB)’s general secretary, Mubashir Usmani, told Gulf News that they will be talking to the Board of Control for Cricket in India and the UAE government about allowing them to welcome live spectators for this event.

Usmani said that they will be working closely with the BCCI and the UAE government to get consent and to follow the regulations to be implemented if they will be given the permission. Usmani said, “As hosts, ECB will work closely with authorities to seek approval on what protocols are needed to be followed. This includes fan attendance. We will then discuss it with the BCCI as well as the ICC to assess their spectator requirements. We want our ex-pat and Emirati sports-loving fans in the UAE to be able to watch the action from the stands.”

While there is no official announcement yet, there are already reports saying that the UAE government has already given them permission to allow 60 percent capacity of the crowd in the stadiums. For now, we’ll still have to wait for BCCI’s announcement and at what point of the IPL this will take effect if this is true.