The Board of Control for Cricket in India, on Tuesday, sought to assuage concerns of foreign players participating in the ongoing Indian Premier League, a day after three Australian cricketers pulled out of the league amid rising Covid-19 cases in India.

“We understand that many of you are apprehensive about how you will get back home once the tournament concludes... We want to apprise you that you have nothing to worry about,” said Hemang Amin, Chief Operating Officer, BCCI, in a letter addressed to the players.

“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,” he added.

This comes even as Australia announced that it was suspending air travel to and from India till May 15. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that Australian players in the IPL will have to make their own arrangements for returning home. “They have travelled there privately. This wasn’t part of an Australian tour. They’re under their own resources and they’ll be using those resources, too, I’m sure, to see them return to Australia in accordance with their own arrangements,” Morrison told foreign media outlets.

Five players, including Delhi Capitals’ Ravichandran Ashwin, Royal Challengers Bangalore’s Adam Zampa and Kane Richardson, Rajasthan Royal's Andrew Tye and Liam Livingstone, have decided to leave the IPL 2021 due to concerns over rising Covid cases in India.

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