Melbourne, May 12 — Cricket Australia (CA) has assured full support to its players who have returned from the Indian Premier League (IPL) and are reluctant to go back for the remainder of the tournament, citing safety concerns and scheduling pressures.
According to a report by the Sydney Morning Herald, the Australian cricket board is prepared to defend any player opting out of the resumed IPL season on personal safety grounds. The league was paused earlier amid regional tensions, but is now expected to restart following the announcement of a ceasefire between India and Pakistan on Saturday.
While all Australian players have safely returned home, several former cricketers like Ricky Ponting and Brad Haddin remain in India as part of the IPL coaching staff. Others, including national coaches Justin Langer and Mike Hussey, have already flown back.
The report highlighted the anxiety and fear experienced by the players as they exited the IPL, which has led to strong concerns over potential pressure to return. Some players also fear that a refusal to rejoin this season could jeopardize their future participation in the IPL.
“In that light, CA will defend the rights of players to make their own calls about returning to the IPL on a case-by-case basis, taking the view that their decisions should not be held against them for the future,” the report stated.
Adding to the complexity is the tight international cricket calendar. With the IPL potentially extending beyond its initial May 24 schedule, any returning Australian player would require a new 'No Objection Certificate' (NOC) from Cricket Australia.
Meanwhile, several key Test players, including captain Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Travis Head, are expected to spend a brief period at home before heading to the UK for the World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord’s. That high-stakes match will be followed by a three-Test tour of the West Indies.
Cricket Australia's stance underscores its commitment to player welfare, particularly in the face of uncertain geopolitical circumstances and an already demanding cricket calendar.