IPL 2021:Australian cricketers looking to leave early due to COVID-19

 IPL 2021: Are Australian cricketers looking to leave early due to COVID-19?

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The Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) on Monday (April 26) reported 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.’

Australia pace bowler Andrew Tye left his franchise Rajasthan Royals (RR) for ‘personal reasons’, it came to light on Sunday, after fellow RR player England’s Liam Livingstone had left a few days back citing ‘bubble fatigue’.

“I just thought I should try and get on the front foot and get home before I got locked out of the country,” Tye told Australian radio station SEN. “I think I`ve had 11 days at home and out of the bubble since August. There’s definitely concerns,” Tye added. “A lot of guys have been in touch today once they’ve realised I was leaving.

“Some of the guys are very interested in what route I took home and how I approached it. I’m not sure if I`ll be the only one (returning), but that`s too early for me to say,” the Royals paceman added.

None of the players or franchises had said that their decision had anything to do with the Covid-19 situation in India.

Covid-19 cases are on the rise at an alarming rate as the country battles with a deadly second wave of infection with its healthcare systems overwhelmed.

Rajasthan Royals tweeted,"AJ Tye flew back to Australia earlier today due to personal reasons. We will continue to offer any support he may need".

“Several sources close to the situation said on Sunday that multiple Australian players in India were seeking to leave the tournament early amid India’s skyrocketing coronavirus cases and recent travel restrictions imposed on people returning to Australia from India,” said the report in Sidney Morning Herald.