IPL-bound Australian players reunite with family after serving 14 days mandatory quarantine

Australian bound players and support staff of the Indian Premier League (IPL) have completed their 2-week hotel quarantine in Sydney and have reunited with their family. The 14th edition of IPL was postponed on May 4 due to rising COVID-19 cases in bio-bubble.

The Aussie players could not directly fly to their country because of the closure of borders. They had to take a halt on the Maldives for almost a fortnight due to the ban of a direct passenger flight from the COVID-hit India. 38 Australian staff which included players, coaches, officials and commentators were released at Sydney’s Marriot Hotel.

Top Australian players such as David Warner, Pat Cummins and Steven Smith to name a few, were not able to see their loved ones for a long period of time. Cummins who’s partner Becky Boston is pregnant was simply ecstatic and are happy to have reunited with her. Australia and CSK fast bowler Jason Behrendorff expressed his thoughts on how difficult was it to be stuck in India.

Australians players relieved to be finally back home ahead of the busy schedule

“It was nice to know that we were getting home that’s for sure,” Behrendorff said according to India Today. “It’s always tough being stuck somewhere, and knowing that we’re able to get home was a relief, and now we’re out of quarantine, I can’t wait to get home and see my family,” he added.

Video of the day! After eight weeks away for the IPL, Pat Cummins finally leaves hotel quarantine and reunites with his pregnant partner Becky. All the feels! pic.twitter.com/YA3j98zJId

— Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB) May 31, 2021

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officials had earlier promised that it was their responsibility to take care of the players and the board duly lived up to it by accommodating flights for the Australian players and their stay at hotel in Maldives and Sydney.

Earlier last week, BCCI sealed the fate of the remaining 31 matches of IPL and decided to host in the UAE in the September-October window. The Indian board is also going to have a word with the respective foreign boards regarding the availability of the other countries’ players. As far as Australia are concerned, they are set to tour West Indies in the month of July to play a limited-overs series comprising of five T20Is and three ODIs.