The Delhi Capitals’ head coach Ricky Ponting said that while the suspension of flights from India has caused some anxiety among Australian players, it is a “small issue” in comparison to the chaos caused by the second wave of COVID-19 infections. Australia halted all direct passenger flights from India on Tuesday, citing a “very significant” increase in COVID-19 cases in India through May 15.

Additionally, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison stated unequivocally that IPL cricket players will need to make “own arrangements” in order to get home.

 

“Our government has made disclosures regarding the repatriation of Australians living in India. While there have undoubtedly been some distractions, Ponting said in a virtual press conference following his team’s one-run loss to Royal Challengers Bangalore, “the travel aspect for us and the Australians who are here is only a small issue.”

We consider ourselves fortunate to be doing what we are on a daily basis, and we consider what is going on outside. Hopefully, a lot of Indians enjoy watching the Indian Premier League cricket matches.”

Due to a growing health crisis, three Australian players have pulled out of the tournament; Chris Lynn, the batsman for the Mumbai Indians, has asked Cricket Australia to set up a chartered flight to return the players home once the tournament is over.

 

After the tournament, the BCCI has already promised to arrange for the foreign players’ return.

A second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic has swept India, and the country has been recording over 3 lakh daily cases for the past few days, leaving the health infrastructure in shambles.