IPL 2021: Umpires Nitin Menon and Paul Reiffel pull out of the tournament

The string of exits and pull-outs from the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League continues as now even umpires have joined the list alongside players. Notably, as many as five players including Ravichandran Ashwin (Delhi Capitals), Andrew Tye, Liam Livingstone (Rajasthan Royals), Adam Zampa, Kane Richardson (Royal Challengers Bangalore) have pulled out of the league due to different reasons related to COVID-19.

The latest to join is Nitin Menon and Australian Paul Reiffel, both part of ICC’s Elite Panel of Umpires, who have withdrawn from the IPL due to personal reasons.

Menon flew home to Indore after his mother and wife tested positive for the virus, whereas former Aussie seamer Reiffel went back due to anxiety about the Australian government not allowing flights from India.

Menon and Reiffel, the first two match officials to pull out 

“Nitin has a small child to look after as his mother and wife have tested positive while Reiffel informed BCCI that he fears not being able to go home due to the Australian government’s decision banning all flights from India. The BCCI already had several local umpires as back-up so they will be officiating in games in which Menon and Reiffel were scheduled to stand,” a BCCI official confirmed to The Indian Express.

BCCI’s interim chief executive officer Hemang Amin, on Tuesday, wrote to all eight IPL teams, players, officials, commentators as well as coaching and support staff that the board will arrange smooth transport back home once the tournament gets over. The BCCI advisory came after the Australian government decided to halt all flights from India till May 15.

“We understand that many of you are apprehensive about how you will get back home once the tournament concludes, which is natural and understandable. We want to apprise you that you have nothing to worry about.”

The BCCI will do everything to ensure that you reach your respective destinations seamlessly. The BCCI is monitoring the situation very closely and is working with the government authorities to make arrangements to get you home once the tournament concludes. Be rest assured that the tournament is not over for BCCI till each one of you has reached your home, safe and sound,” Amin wrote in an email.

Meanwhile, Cricket Australia, in a statement released on Monday stated: “Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers’ Association remain in regular contact with Australian players, coaches, and commentators taking part in the Indian Premier League, which is being conducted under strict biosecurity protocols. We will continue to listen to feedback from those on the ground in India and the advice of the Australian Government. Our thoughts are with the people of India at this difficult time.”