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Australian players might be a little worried after flights from India were suspended, but Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting said it was a small problem compared to the chaos sparked by Wave 2 of Covid-19 infections in India.
Australia on Tuesday suspended all direct passenger flights from India until May 15 due to the “very large” spike in Covid-19 cases in India.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison also clarified that cricketers participating in the IPL will have to make “their own arrangements†to return home.
“There have been revelations our government has made regarding the return of Australians to India in Australia. Without a doubt, there have been few distractions, but the travel side for us and the Australians who are here is just a small problem, â€Ponting said in a virtual press conference after his team lost to the Royal Challengers Bangalore by one point.
“On a daily basis, we think about what is going on outside and we understand how blessed we are to do what we do. Hope there are a number of people in India who have had fun watching IPL cricket. “
Three Australian players left the tournament amid the escalating health crisis, while Mumbai Indians batsman Chris Lynn asked Cricket Australia to arrange a chartered flight to take them home once the event ended.
The BCCI has already assured that it will make arrangements for the return of foreign players once the tournament is over.
A second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic has swept India and the country is recording more than 3 lakh of cases per day in recent days, leaving health infrastructure in ruins.
Following the unprecedented health crisis, Indian and DC spinner Ravichandran Ashwin decided to take a break from the tournament to be with his family.
“It’s a really strange feeling within our team at the moment. We are very aware of what is going on outside and in India at the moment. Obviously, our thoughts are with everyone who is struggling with COVID-19 in Indian society, â€Ponting said.
“We also had our only player, Ravichandran Ashwin left with his family so it affects, we talk about it more than most teams.”
In the one-point loss against RCB, Ponting said: “Our last game was in Super Over and against RCB we lost by one point. This can only be of use to you when the bigger one is in the background. We have three games in four days, we have to take our learning.
“The team is disappointed but also proud of the way the boys fought. We are not going to over-analyze.
DC will next face the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) here on Thursday.
New Zealand stimulator Kyle Jamieson, who was bought by RCB for 15 crore, said he didn’t handle the pressure that comes with a high price tag too well initially.
“I kind of ignored it in my mind a bit and thought it was going to be fine, and tried to focus on things that I could control … t handle the scale of the situation. as best I could, â€he said.
“That (the price to pay) is definitely not on my mind anymore. Yes, the first month, probably six weeks after the auction, was tough and I guess I learned from it that will be of great use to me.
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