Now that the IPL chairman Brijesh Patel has confirmed that the tournament will take place UAE starting September 19, the spotlight shifts to overseas players and boards as to whether they will get NOCs from to play in the tournament or not.
New Zealand Cricket has already come forward and issued the NOC to six of its players including Kane Williamson (SunRisers Hyderabad), Trent Boult (Mumbai Indians), Jimmy Neesham (Kings XI Punjab), Mitchell Santner (Chennai Super Kings), Mitchell McClenaghan (Mumbai Indians) and Lockie Ferguson (Kolkata Knight Riders).
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The big question now is whether Cricket Australia will also do that or not. They had earlier said, “Should the tournament be confirmed, Cricket Australia would then make its considerations accordingly,” ANI quoted an unnamed CA official as saying on Friday.
Glenn Maxwell has already expressed his interest in playing in the cash-rich league after the cancellation of the T20 World Cup.
14 players from Australia have IPL contracts currently. Aaron Finch, Josh Philippe, Kane Richardson (All Royal Challengers Bangalore), Chris Lynn, Nathan Coulter-Nile (Both Mumbai Indians), Josh Hazelwood, Shane Watson (Both Chennai Super Kings), Alex Carey, Marcus Stoinis (Both Delhi Capitals), Glenn Maxwell (Kings XI Punjab), Pat Cummins, Chris Green (Both Kolkata Knight Riders) and, Steve Smith, Andrew Tye (Both Rajasthan Royals).
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Even though IPL chairman has confirmed the news of IPL happening, a formal announcement will only be made next week after the GC.
“So we discussed this date (September 19 to November 8), we had an informal discussion on dates but a final decision will only be taken in the governing council meeting. We also have to discuss other things including training camp, SOP, etc. More clarity can only come after the meeting,” a source told ANI.