With the coronavirus ‘pandemic’ bringing a screeching halt to sporting events across the world and big tournaments like the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 pushed to commence at a later date, revenue generated from the cash-rich league for players and advertisers could take a major blow in the coming months.
There’s been chaos across the cricket world with revelations that Aussie stars could be forced to give up their IPL contracts in response to coronavirus restrictions across the globe.
The news that stars, including Pat Cummins, David Warner, Glenn Maxwell and Steve Smith could be blocked by Cricket Australia (CA) from competing in the postponed IPL 2020 came after the Australian board on Tuesday morning confirmed the 2019-20 Sheffield Shield final has been scrapped and New South Wales declared champions.
Kevin Roberts, the Chief Executive of CA on Tuesday said players were individually contracted to their IPL franchises and had the power to make up their own minds – in consultation with Cricket Australia – to compete in the 2020 IPL or not.
However, The Australian reports CA is reviewing whether it will permit Aussie players to participate in the IPL 2020 or The Hundred series in the UK.
According to the report, CA routinely gives players No Objection Certificates (NOC) to participate in the IPL, but that is now under review.
“We can provide advice. We’re conscious of the fact that Australian players are individually contracted to the IPL and the time will certainly come very soon where players are going to be really interested and leaning on our perspective as their leader… to advise them in that regard,” said Roberts.
“And then there will also be a perspective from the BCCI and their IPL division within that and together with our players and the BCCI I’m sure players will reach the best possible decisions in uncertain circumstances,” he added.
In this season’s IPL auction, Cummins became the highest paid overseas player when Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) paid a whopping INR 15.50 Crore to secure his services. On the other hand, Maxwell received an INR 10.75 Crore contract from Kings XI Punjab. The likes of Warner and Smith would have also earned in crores.
