'It was an interesting one' - Kyle Jamieson opens up on IPL 2021 postponement

New Zealand pacer Kyle Jamieson made his debut in the Indian Premier League (IPL) during the 2021 edition for the franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore. However, after hosting just 29 matches, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) postponed the T20 Championship for an indefinite time due to an upsurge in the Covid-19 cases among the players and the other members.

The sudden suspension of IPL 2021 resulted in Kyle taking a flight to the Maldives along with New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson. Jamieson along with other New Zealand players were scheduled to fly to the United Kingdom (UK) in the third week of May for the New Zealand tour of England. Thus, the UK-bound Kiwi players found it safer to stay in the Maldives than India.

Meanwhile, Jamieson labelled his experience of getting out safely from India after the suspension of IPL 2021 as an interesting one. The 26-year-old also heaped praises on the authorities for keeping a proper check on them and ensuring that all the players and other support staff members reach to their respective destinations safe and sound.

“It was an interesting one. It is not something that you could plan for. We were sort of informed right through. We had some pretty good people around us, the BCCI and IPL teams. We just had to do the right thing by ourselves. Obviously the situation in India was pretty dire and we were mindful of what is going outside our bubble.

“Once it (the virus) got inside it was the right decision to postpone it. We just had to keep trusting in those people and control we can control and we had some pretty good people around us to help us get to England,” said Jamieson in a media interaction on Sunday.

I am playing cricket for first time at the Lord’s: Kyle Jamieson 

The right-arm seamer further expressed his excitement for his maiden tour to England. New Zealand is scheduled to lock horns against England for a two-match Test series, starting from June 2. The Test series against England will be followed by a clash against India in the final of the inaugural edition of the World Test Championship from June 18 to June 22 at Southampton.

Speaking about his first trip to England, Jamieson reckoned that he is trying his best to remain focused as getting distracted can hamper his game. “It is my first trip to England. I am playing cricket for the first time at Lord’s. If I get distracted by something in two or three weeks’ time then I would end up not being in great shape.

“I am just trying to be as mindful as I can around this Test and enjoy it. Who knows if it ever happens again for me. So just focusing on this Test and Edgbaston and then the final (against India). It is not going to go away or come any closer so I will take care of this one first,” he signed off.