IPL's Aussie Players Anxious Over Safety, Podcasters Flying Back To Melbourne: Report
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Australian players in the IPL consider exiting because of India-Pakistan tensions.
As cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan escalate along the Line of Control, several Australian players are considering exiting the Indian Premier League as they grow anxious over their safety, obvious after the increased firing from both sides on Thursday.
As per multiple player agents, who spoke to the Sydney Morning Herald under the condition of anonymity, a growing number of Aussie players have expressed anxiety over their safety.
Sunrisers Hyderabad skipper Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh have been plying their trade in the Indian Premier League, while Aussie coaches Ricky Ponting and Brad Haddin have been caught up in the latest drama.
Cricket Australia and the Aussie cricketers association are in regular contact with cricketers and have been giving support as the situation evolves.
Aussie pair of Sam Perry and Ian Higgins, who form the popular The Grade Cricketer podcast, have decided to cancel their live shows in India and return to Australia.
Perry and Higgins have been performing live shows to Indian audiences recently, but confirmed to the Sydney Morning Herald that they will be flying from Mumbai to Melbourne because of safety concerns.
BCCI is considering postponing or moving IPL 2025 after increasing tension between India and Pakistan following drone and missile attacks in recent days.
The situation has already disrupted Pakistan's domestic competition, with the Pakistan Super League shifted to Dubai following similar safety concerns.
Given that the Pakistan Super League has already bagged the UAE as an alternative venue, the Indian Premier League might be forced to relocate to South Africa, which has hosted the tournament before.
An Indian Premier League game between the Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala was called off on Thursday because of a blackout near the LoC after air-raid warnings in nearby Jammu and Pathankot.
'We are reviewing the situation right now. It is an evolving situation. We haven't received any directive from the government. The decision will be taken keeping all the logistics in mind," Indian Premier League chief Arun Dhumal told PTI.
'It is an evolving situation, and any decision will be taken keeping the best interests of all stakeholders in mind," Dhumal added.
Players in Dharamsala will leave the city on a special train on Friday, though their next destination remains unclear.
First Published:
May 09, 2025, 08:36 IST
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