Australian players may travel to Maldives after IPL bubble breach: Report

After the Board of Cricket Control in India (BBCI) announced suspension of IPL 2021 on Tuesday due to COVID-19 cases being
reported from several squads, a troubling question about returning home appears
to have risen in front of Australian players participating in the cash-rich
domestic league.

Australia, which shut down all flights from India on April
27 till May 15, later on added that anyone who has been to India within 14 days
of their date of arrival in Australia, would also be barred from entering the
country.

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Reportedly, there are 40 Australians in the IPL bio bubble, including players, coaching staff and commentators.

What happens now?

Commentator Michael Slater has reportedly already headed to the
Maldives as a temporary place of stay after the bio-bubble breach on Tuesday. Several
Australian players, including Pat Cummins, Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell and
Ricky Ponting will be joining Slater in the island nation, as per a report by
ESPNcricinfo.

Cricket Australia, meanwhile, released a statement on
Tuesday, saying they were working in tandem with BCCI in bringing back the
players.

Also read: Why IPL 2021 has been suspended

“CA is in direct contact with BCCI as they work through
plans to ensure the safe accommodation and repatriation of Australian players,
coaches, match officials and commentators back home to Australia.”, the statement
noted.

Are all the players travelling to the Maldives?

Australian allrounder Dan Christian, who is scheduled to
play in the UK later this year, will possibly be going through other plans of transportation,
with the UK currently allowing only its citizens and residents to fly back from
India. A popular stop between India and UK, Dubai, is not allowing flights from
India to halt either.

Also read: Australia walks back ‘racist’ India ban after backlash

Reportedly, both BCCI and Cricket Australia officials were engaged
in urgent meetings Tuesday, exploring possible transportation options.

Adam Zampa, Kane Richardson and Andrew Tye were among those
who left India before the ban came into place, late in April.