Four New Zealand cricketers who were a part of the IPL were placed in a bio-secure bubble in Delhi, but they have actually flown out to the Maldives as they felt insecure.
Coronavirus had crept up into the bio-secure bubbles in the IPL, and hence, it led to the postponement of the 2021 edition halfway through the season. With the second wave of the pandemic at its peak and worst, most countries around the world have added India to their red list. That has effectively banned flights and travel to and from India.
Despite the United Kingdom banning flights from India, the England cricketers managed to fly back safely. Meanwhile, the Australian cricketers, commentators and coaches who were a part of the IPL have flown to the Maldives as Australia are adamant about not letting anybody travel from India.
Barring Trent Boult who returned home, the other New Zealand cricketers are due to fly to England for the two-match Test series against England which will be followed by the World Test Championship Final against India. New Zealand Cricket made a release stating that the UK-bound players have been kept in a mini bio-secure bubble in Delhi. Moreover, they will fly out on May 11 as that is the earliest exemption date that they could obtain.
However, the four New Zealanders (Kane Williamson, Kyle Jamieson, Mitchell Santner and physio Tommy Simsek) flew down to the Maldives along with the Australia-bound Chennai Super Kings players. Intriguingly, NZC did not know about this activity and they made a release when the quartet were on their way to the Maldives.
“We’ve been informed that the four New Zealanders felt insecure in the Delhi bubble and they were not sure when they can leave for UK. They did not want to stay here too long and left with the Australia-bound Chennai Super Kings players, who were flying to Maldives,“
a franchise official was quoted saying.
According to Cricbuzz, NZC or their spokesperson did not have an immediate. Even CEO David White couldn’t provide a proper reply on Williamson and co’s exit. CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan did have an answer and said that the New Zealanders found out that they might have to wait till the 16th, and hence, they decided to travel to the South Asian island.
“They earlier thought that they would get the permissions to fly to UK by May 11. Later, they were told they would have to wait till May 16. Then they decided to leave for Maldives,“
CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan stated.
