- There has been a recent escalation of hostility between India and Pakistan
- The Indian Premier League was suspended for a week amid the rising tensions
- 10 English stars, including Jofra Archer and Jos Buttler, were playing in the IPL
England’s players at the Indian Premier League will begin flying home today after the tournament was suspended for a week due to an escalation of hostility between India and Pakistan.
Mail Sport understands that some of the 10 English cricketers – whose number include Jos Buttler, Jofra Archer, Jacob Bethell and Phil Salt – were due to be en route to the UK as soon as this afternoon following the decision to halt the season with 12 games of its group stage left to play.
‘The decision was taken by the IPL Governing Council after due consultation with all key stakeholders following the representations from most of the franchises, who conveyed the concern and sentiments of their players, and also the views of the broadcaster, sponsors and fans,’ read a statement from the IPL.
‘Further updates regarding the new schedule and venues of the tournament will be announced in due course after a comprehensive assessment of the situation in consultation with relevant authorities and stakeholders.’
The IPL final is currently scheduled for May 25, but putting things back seven days will send it into June, and it is uncertain at this stage whether all overseas players will return.
However, an ECB spokesperson said this morning that they were still expecting India’s five-Test tour here beginning next month ‘to go ahead as planned’.
England’s stars at the IPL will begin flying home today after the tournament was suspended
Mail Sport understands that some of the 10 English representatives will head home imminently
The tournament was suspended for a week amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan
India’s players are due to arrive here in the second week of June and play one warm-up fixture against India A at Beckenham – dates of which are yet to be confirmed – before the series gets under way at Headingley on June 20.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India took the decision to postpone in the wake of increased cross-border tensions with Pakistan.
Thursday’s match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala was abandoned midway into the first innings following a reported floodlight failure.
It follows the shifting of the ongoing Pakistan Super League to the United Arab Emirates on Thursday.
