Recently, BCCI confirmed that the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League will take place in the UAE. Fans all over the world were delighted to hear this news as they eagerly waited for the IPL to begin this year. This season is going to be totally different as the final of the league will take place on Tuesday which is a weekday.
This year’s IPL will consist of 10 double-headers matches which will begin at 3:30 PM followed by the evening matches at 7:30 pm. IPL Governing Council, for the first time, has preponed the game by 30mins instead of regular starters at 8.00 PM.
South Africa players unlikely to feature in the first few games of IPL 2020
As everything is finally falling in place the franchises, who have picked South African players looked bothered at the moment. Since the country has imposed a national wide lockdown all over South Africa; the players are unlikely to join the franchises. The South African players like Chris Morris, Ab de Villiers, and Dale Steyn won’t be able to travel to the UAE due to the restrictions on air travel.
By all means, it looks like the players will miss the initial half of the tournament as they won’t make it on time to the UAE. Royal Challengers Bangalore is likely to be the most affected team with de Villiers, Morris, and Steyn in their ranks.
The Lanka Premier League taking place has already cost them Isuru Udana for first few games. RCB are most likely to lose 4 overseas players for the initial few games. A franchise recently spoke to Sportstar where they said they’re in constant touch with the players from South Africa.
“We are in constant touch with the players from South Africa. There are challenges for sure, but we are trying to look for a solution,” he said.
Proteas cricketers participating in the IPL are AB de Villiers, Chris Morris, Dale Steyn, Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir, Ngidi Lungi, Quinton de Kock, David Miller, Kagiso Rabada, Hardus Viljoen, and Jonty Rhodes as coach of KXIP.
