BCCI has clarified that there are no plans to bring any change in the schedule as of now.
The pandemic has wreaked havoc in India and people who are inside the safe bio-secure bubble of the Indian Premier League (IPL) also are not feeling safe.
Despite the vaccine being rolled out, the number of cases has been on a rise in the midst of the second wave where a million new cases have been reported over the last three days.
With the cash-rich tournament being conducted in a tight bio-bubble, and no new cases reported after Axar Patel and Devdutt Padikkal - which was at the start of the event - overseas players have spoken about the concerns regarding their safety.
While BCCI has clarified that there are no plans to bring any change in the schedule as of now, there have been players who have decided to leave the bubble and travel back home.
So who all have opted out mid-IPL 2021?
1. Liam Livingstone - Rajasthan Royals (RR)
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Rajasthan Royals (RR) batsman Liam Livingstone pulled out of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 due to bio-bubble fatigue. He flew back home on Monday (April 19).
"Liam Livingstone has flown back home late last night, due to bubble fatigue accumulated over the past year. We understand and respect his decision, and will continue supporting him in any way we can," the Rajasthan Royals said in an official statement.
Liam Livingstone has flown back home late last night, due to bubble fatigue accumulated over the past year. We understand and respect his decision, and will continue supporting him in any way we can.#RoyalsFamily pic.twitter.com/stYywf3tBW
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) April 20, 2021
2. Ravichandran Ashwin - Delhi Capitals (DC)
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Delhi Capitals off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has taken a break from the 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and returned home in Chennai.
Ashwin said that his family and extended family are fighting a battle against COVID-19 and it was important for him to stay with them and support them in these tough times.
Taking to Twitter, Ashwin wrote, "I would be taking a break from this years IPL from tomorrow. My family and extended family are putting up a fight against #COVID19 and I want to support them during these tough times. I expect to return to play if things go in the right direction. Thank you @DelhiCapitals."
I would be taking a break from this years IPL from tomorrow. My family and extended family are putting up a fight against #COVID19 and I want to support them during these tough times. I expect to return to play if things go in the right direction. Thank you @DelhiCapitals
— Stay home stay safe! Take your vaccine (@ashwinravi99) April 25, 2021
3. Kane Richardson - Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)
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Soon after the news of R Ashwin leaving IPL 2021 came out, Australian cricketer Kane Richardson of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) also decided to end his stint.
Although Richardson pulled out of the IPL 2021 due to 'personal reasons' it is widely believed that he decided to cut short his stint in the cash-rich T20 league due to rising COVID-19 cases in India.
On Monday, it was reported by the Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) that many Australian players are 'nervous about securing safe passage back home after the (Scott) Morrison government (Australian government) reduced the number of incoming passengers allowed from India.'
4. Adam Zampa - Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)
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Not just Kane Richardson, his Australian and RCB teammate Adam Zampa also pulled out of the tournament.
"Adam Zampa & Kane Richardson are returning to Australia for personal reasons and will be unavailable for the remainder of IPL season. Royal Challengers Bangalore offers complete support to them in all the possible way we can," Virat Kohli’s RCB said in a statement on Monday (April 26).
Official Announcment:
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) April 26, 2021
Adam Zampa & Kane Richardson are returning to Australia for personal reasons and will be unavailable for the remainder of #IPL2021. Royal Challengers Bangalore management respects their decision and offers them complete support.#PlayBold #WeAreChallengers pic.twitter.com/NfzIOW5Pwl
5. Andrew Tye - Rajasthan Royals (RR)
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Rajasthan Royals (RR) pacer Andrew Tye pulled out of the IPL 2021 and flew back to Australia.
He flew back intending to avoid the growing risks in India and the fear of not being able to return to his nation due to flight unavailability.
