IPL 2021: Ravichandran Ashwin, Adam Zampa, Kane Richardson & Andrew Tye leave IPL due to highest number of daily coronavirus cases.
Adam Zampa and Kane Richardson have joined fellow Australian Andrew Tye in ending their Indian Premier League (IPL) season early to return home.
India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, 34, also said he is taking a break from the IPL to support his family.Ashwin, in his tweet, also said that he "expects to return if things go in the right direction". The protocols for any player joining the biobubble after leaving it once will require them to have a period of quarantine in the hotel before entering the bubble again.
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
Andrew Tye, who was with Rajasthan Royals, flew to Sydney on Sunday, citing the "stress of bubble life" and concerns about borders closing in Australia.
"I just thought I should try and get on the front foot and get home before I got locked out of the country," the seamer told Australian radio station SEN.
Tye, 34, who flew home via Mumbai and Doha, added: "Theres definitely concerns. A lot of guys have been in touch once theyve realised I was leaving.
"Some of the guys are very interested in what route I took home and how I approached it."
The England and Wales Cricket Board is not currently aware of any England players planning to leave the IPL, with individuals set to make their own decisions, rather than the governing body.
England limited overs captain Eoin Morgan, who is skipper of Kolkata Knight Riders, says the tournament should continue as long as it does not hamper the efforts to combat Covid-19.
"Certainly when we came out of our first lockdown period, I remember the first sport being on TV was probably in New Zealand and Australia. It was rugby union and rugby league. Then slowly, the Bundesliga started, then the Premier League started," he said.
"That displayed that you can play sport while the country is almost in full lockdown. If theres a template to make that happen, it has happened, but also as long as it doesnt disturb whats happening in the public eye."
Morgan added that the players are aware of the rising cases in India.
"Were constantly talking about the situation that is unfolding outside of our bubble," he added. "Its not nice watching from afar, considering how lucky we are to be in a bubble and not be affected by it very much."
India has been reporting more than 300,000 daily cases for several days, setting new daily global records.
On Monday, it had the highest number of daily coronavirus cases for a fifth straight day, reporting 352,991 new infections and another 2,812 deaths in the previous 24-hour period.
Royal Challengers Bangalore said on Monday that leg-spinner Zampa, 29, and fast bowler Richardson, 30, will be unavailable for the rest of the IPL season and were returning to Australia for "personal reasons".
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
A statement added: "Royal Challengers Bangalore management respects their decision and offers them complete support."
Meanwhile, Kolkata Knight Riders paceman Pat Cummins has asked his fellow players to join him in contributing to help Indias hospitals deal with the pandemic.
Cummins, 27, who is among a number of Australias top players to remain in India, has pledged 50,000 Australian dollars (£28,006) to the PM Cares Fund, specifically to purchase oxygen supplies.
"India is a country Ive come to love dearly over the years and the people here are some of the warmest and kindest Ive ever met," the Australia vice-captain wrote on Twitter.
— Pat Cummins (@patcummins30) April 26, 2021
"There has been quite a bit of discussion over here as to whether it is appropriate for the IPL to continue with Covid-19 infection rates remain high.
"Im advised that the Indian Government is of the view that playing the IPL while the population is in lockdown provides a few hours of joy and respite each day at an otherwise difficult time for the country."
Cummins added: "At times like this it is easy to feel helpless. Ive certainly felt that of late. But I hope by making this public appeal we can all channel our emotions into action that will bring light into peoples lives.
"I know my donation isnt much in the grand scheme of things, but I hope it will make a difference to someone."
Australia has avoided the worst of Covid-19 by closing its borders and installing snap lockdowns - such as a three-day lockdown in Perth, announced before the weekend - when cases of community transmission occur.
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