Cricket South Africa (CSA) has denied the rumours that they sent a proposal to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to withdraw the Proteas players early from the 12th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Injury worries have hovered over the Proteas players throughout the tournament. The IPL final is just 18 days before the opening World Cup game between England and South Africa, which means that the Proteas players involved won’t have much rest before the marquee event begin in England.
According to several media reports, South Africa head coach Ottis Gibson sent a proposal to CSA CEO Thabang Moroe requesting the return of players in the first week of May. This would see the Proteas players returning after England and Australia pulled their key players from the cash rich league.
This proposal was allegedly sent to the BCCI, who threatened to cancel the upcoming bilateral series against South Africa scheduled from December 2021 to January 2022, but CSA has denied all these claims.
‘That is not valid by any means. We don’t know about such a proposal made to the official,’ said a CSA spokesperson as stated by TimesLive.
‘Our understanding is that‚ as is the case with New Zealand, the Windies‚ etcetera‚ we as CSA do our best to assist our players in maximising their IPL income.”
“It is only Australia and England who can afford to pull their players out,” he added.
Kagiso Rabada and Dale Steyn were the only two players to withdraw from the tournament early due to injury. South Africa captain Faf du Plessis, leg spinner Imran Tahir and wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock will take part in the IPL final on Sunday, May 12.
