Cricket South Africa (CSA) has allowed its Indian Premier League (IPL) bound players to leave the One Day International series against the Pakistan Cricket Team midway to take part in the 14th edition of the cash-rich league. IPL 2021 gets underway on April 9 with defending champions Mumbai Indians locking horns with Royal Challengers Bangalore in the tournament opener at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
The ODI series commences on April 02 with the first game at the SuperSport Park in Centurion. The four-match T20I series begins on April 10 with Johannesburg and Centurion being the venues. The IPL-bound cricketers are expected to leave for India after the completion of the 2nd ODI on April 4.
South Africa cricketers to leave the ODI series midway for IPL
The players, who are expected to travel midway from the ODI series, are Lungi Ngidi (Chennai Super Kings), Kagiso Rabada (Delhi Capitals), Quinton de Kock (South Africa), David Miller (Rajasthan Royals), and Anrich Nortje (Delhi Capitals).
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Meanwhile, the decision has not gone down well with a certain number of former cricketers and veterans of the game. Former Pakistan cricketer Rashid Latif has slammed Cricket South Africa for their decision to field a second-string side for the Pakistan series.
“If Pakistan had left out their five main players, would South Africa have still played with Pakistan? Then why are Pakistan playing with them? Pakistan should not play a weak team. When both boards decided on this series, they would have decided on playing their full-strength sides. You are fooling the broadcasters by playing weakened sides,” Rashid was quoted as saying on Sportskeeda.
Veteran fast bowler from South Africa Dale Steyn also looked miffed with the decision. He seemed clueless why the big guns were not included in the Proteas squad for the series against Pakistan.
“I missed the reason why our big dogs aren’t playing the T20s against Pak?” Dale Steyn wrote.
I missed the reason why our big dogs aren’t playing the T20s against Pak?
— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) March 18, 2021
