England players might get longer stay in the IPL

England cricketers have largely missed out on being a part of the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL). Very few players have turned up for the mega cricket event that is popular all around the world. However, this year quite a few players are all set to go under the hammer at the player’s auctions. Much to the delight of cricket lovers and the players, they might get a longer stint at the IPL year.

Over the past editions, it has always been the international fixtures that have disrupted their plans of being a part of the league. Most players are unavailable for a majority of the tournament following the national duties. This year seems to be a different story, though. Very few days of the tournament will see the dates clash between the English summer and the IPL schedule window.

The IPL 2017 is scheduled to be played from April 5 to May 21. The first of the matches for the English team in the summer begins only on May 5. They will be playing Ireland. Hence, this means that the players will only miss out on 15 days of the T20 tournament As per the reports in Mumbai Mirror, many top English cricketers are expected to feature the IPL drafts.

This includes the big names of Joe Root and Ben Stokes. All-rounder Ben Stokes in a recent interview had mentioned that he wishes to be a part of the IPL. “I have put myself up for the auction. It is a good opportunity to experience a different competition. I won’t say we weren’t lucky in terms of the English summer; it’s quite hard to get away and experience what it is like to play in these T20 leagues. This year’s IPL is a chance not just for myself but to a few other English guys,” Stokes had quoted recently.

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Among others, there is opener Jason Roy, who has openly admitted his desire to be a part of the Indian T20 league. The IPL auctions are most likely to be held on February 4. It will worth seeing how many English players make it to the tournament proper.