IPL 2021 Squad Submission Deadline: Franchises in a fix as BCCI’s squad submission last date tomorrow, follow live updates

IPL 2021 Phase 2 – IPL Squad Submission Deadline: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has set August 20 deadline to submit the final squad for the remaining 31 matches of IPL 2021 in UAE. However, it has put some franchises in a fix. With England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Cricket Australia (CA) leaving it to the players to decide on IPL return, some franchises are still waiting for players’ nod on participation.

One of the franchise officials confirmed to InsideSport.co that talks are ongoing with some players to confirm their return for IPL 2021 Phase 2.

“We have to submit the squad by August 20 but I can’t confirm whether all foreign players will be available. We are still in talks with some players. The good thing is that the T20 World Cup will be held in UAE and that gives us confidence that all players will be available but we are still waiting on some players’ final confirmation,” one of the franchise officials told InsideSport.

Also Read: IPL 2021: Delhi Capitals & Sunrisers Hyderabad to leave for UAE on Aug 21 and 31; Check departure dates for other franchises

IPL 2021 Squad Submission Deadline: Franchises in a fix as BCCI’s squad submission last date tomorrow, follow live updates

IPL 2021 Phase 2 – IPL Squad Submission Deadline: Chennai Super Kings is the only franchise which have a full squad in hand with Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood also set to return for IPL after missing out on the 1^st phase. However, the same isn’t the case for Rajasthan Royals. Jos Buttler is yet to confirm his availability while some England cricketers are still mulling over their return due to an extended tour. IPL 2021 will be followed by T20 World Cup and then Ashes and will culminate with another long tour of West Indies in February. That will mean some multi-format players will be out of their homes for five months.

IPL 2021 Phase 2: Why franchises are in a fix?

• BCCI has set August 20 deadline to submit the final squad.
• BCCI only confirmed foreign players availability a week ago, giving players and franchises very little time to prepare.
• England and Australian players’ availability has been a question mark due to bilateral series and it was only a week ago that both ECB and CA cleared ways for their return.
• If multi-format England players like Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes return for IPL 2021, they will be out of their home for five months due to long tours, raising doubts over their participation.

Also Read: IPL 2021: Good news for KKR, Shubman Gill recovers in time, set to return for IPL in UAE

IPL 2021 Phase 2 – IPL Squad Submission Deadline: The other problem, another franchise official pointed out is BCCI’s delay in negotiation with ECB and CA. The BCCI informed the franchises officially about foreign players availability only last week while both Australia and England cricketers were cleared to take part in the IPL 2021 only a few days ago It had created a dilemma for franchises whether to find replacement players or wait for BCCI’s nod.

“Yes, BCCI’s delay in responding officially did play a part in last-minute hassle. We kept hearing about players’ availability in the news but BCCI only confirmed that officially in August. That’s why the August 20 deadline is a little early for us. But if that’s the norm, we will adhere to that,” another franchise official told InsideSport.co.

Also Read: IPL 2021: Shreyas Iyer smashes huge six during training, set to return for remainder of IPL Phase 2 – Watch Video

Meanwhile, most of the franchises have confirmed their departure for UAE to set up camp ahead of the September 19 restart.

• Chennai Super Kings reached Dubai on August 13.
• Mumbai Indians with available players reached Dubai on august 13.
• Delhi Capitals to leave for UAE on August 21
• Punjab Kings said they will leave on August 29.
• Kolkata Knight Riders are planning to leave for Abu Dhabi by August 27 as per information available
• Rajasthan Royals will reach Dubai on September 2.
• Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) contingent hasn’t confirmed the date but will likely to leave by the end of the month.
• Sunrisers Hyderabad to leave on August 31.