Reports: England players might feature in IPL 2021 second leg as Bangladesh tour likely to be postponed

The Indian Premier League 2021 has faced several problems. When the tournament was called off and postponed abruptly in early May, there were several questions about whether it would be played again this year. However, with time, all of the questions have been answered. The IPL is now all set to resume on September 19 and will run till October 15 leading into the T20 World Cup. 

One of the concerns around the resumption was regarding the participation of the overseas players. England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), for an instance, was unlikely to allow its players to go on for the second leg of the T20 extravaganza but it seems the road now is clear for the players. Initially, it was reported that the English players will be touring Bangladesh in September and October, but it has now been stated the tour will be postponed for now. 

If the news of the postponement of England’s tour of Bangladesh is confirmed, which for now, has been reported by the Telegraph, then it will allow the England players to participate in the IPL 2021 second leg. Several of the England international players have been the top picks in the league for the past few years. 

Several players from England are the top players for franchises in IPL

Eoin Morgan, Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer, Jos Buttler, Liam Livingstone, Dawid Malan, Sam Curran, Chris Jordan, Jason Roy, Tom Curran, Jonny Bairstow, Moeen Ali have contracts with the IPL teams. The absence of these players would have been a problematic situation for the teams, especially Rajasthan Royals, who had Buttler, Stokes, Archer, and Livingstone in their squad. 

Considering that the T20 World Cup will also be played in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the IPL 2021 just before it can help the players get used to the conditions well. ECB have been supportive towards its players taking part in the IPL in recent times and there have been some who have suggested that the Bangladesh tour has been postponed keeping in mind the IPL’s timing. 

It should be noted the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has been close allies of the ECB. The two boards have been supportive of each other and this decision of postponement of the Bangladesh tour could be a part of this narrative. But, if this is confirmed, it would mean that England will not play any more T20Is before the T20 World Cup.