Royal Challengers Bangalore’s Australian players Adam Zampa and Kane Richardson have pulled out of the 2021 Indian Premier League amid the surge in the number of COVID-19 cases in India.
Zampa and Richardson join fellow Australian Andrew Tye, who plays for Rajasthan Royals, as they decided to return home.
“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,” RCB tweeted.
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
Richardson played for RCB in one match in the latest edition of the IPL, and Zampa is yet to make an appearance.
Tye, who has not played a match with the Royals so far, had expressed his fear of being “locked out” of his country as the COVID-19 situation worsens in India.
Cricket Australia, in a statement, said that they are in contact with their players and will continue to listen to feedback from those on the ground in India.
“Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers’ Association remain in regular contact with Australian players, coaches and commentators taking part in the Indian Premier League, which is being conducted under strict biosecurity protocols,” read the statement.
“We will continue to listen to feedback from those on the ground in India and the advice of the Australian Government.
“Our thoughts are with the people of India at this difficult time.”
Currently, there are 14 Australian players remaining in the IPL, including Steve Smith, David Warner and Pat Cummins, and coaches Ricky Ponting and Simon Katich and commentators Matthew Hayden, Brett Lee and Michael Slater.
India’s Ravichandran Ashwin has also decided to leave the Delhi Capitals bio-bubble to support his family during this time, adding that they are “putting up a fight against COVID-19”.
India on Monday reported a new record number of COVID-19 cases with 3,52,991 infections and 2,812 deaths in 24 hours. This is fifth straight day that over 3 lakh cases have been recorded in the country.
