SA and England players to leave their IPL squads early for bilateral series

Major players from around the world were excited for the tenth edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) that commences from April 9. Cricketers from England who usually haven’t been available for the IPL also put themselves in the auction list this time since the international calendar is a bit easy and IPL has a window for itself. But as it appears players from South Africa and England might find it difficult to stay for the duration of the tournament as they play a bilateral series with against each other in mid-May.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) have already decided to withdraw their players from IPL beforehand. There are some key players who will fly out to join their national squad: AB de Villiers (Royal Challengers Bangalore), JP Duminy, Quinton de Kock and Chris morris (Delhi Daredevils), David Miller and Hashim Amla (Kings XI Punjab) and Faf du Plessis (Rising Pune Supergiants). These players are key to their respective franchises and have also been retained.

Though IPL has told all the franchises that BCCI is talking with CSA over extending the stay of the players. The auction strategies now could be altered as there are major England cricketers will leave as well. Jos Buttler (Mumbai Indians) and Sam Billings (Delhi Daredevils) are the two retained players while others would be auctioned on February 20.

The auction list consists of 351 players with 122 foreign players. Players like Eoin Morgan, Chris Woakes, and Ben Stokes have based themselves at the highest price possible. This, early pull off of players might affect their being picked as well.

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There are 13 South African players who are going to be auctioned. But, CSA is interested in the release of seven of them. Those being, Kagiso Rabada, Imran Tahir, Farhaan Behardien, Wayne Parnell, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo and Dwaine Pretorius. All these players are also a part of the ODI squad that will play the Black Caps except for Ngidi who is out with a hip injury.

The one-day series between South Africa and England begins from 24th May. They will play three ODIs before the Champions Trophy which kick starts from June 1. The remainder of the tour comprising four Tests and three T20s will be played after the Champions Trophy.

BCCI is demanding the stay to extend until May the 21st. CSA, on the other hand, are keen on giving the players a good pre-Champions Trophy preparations.