The Australian cricket board and its players’ body have made it clear that they would not seek exemptions from the government to bring back Aussie cricketers stranded in India after the BCCI postponed the Indian Premier League (IPL) indefinitely after a Coronavirus outbreak among the players and support staff.

In a joint statement, Cricket Australia (CA) and the Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA) thanked the Board of Control for Cricket in India “for their efforts and cooperation for the safe repatriation of all participants at the IPL”.

CA and ACA stood by the BCCI, saying they understood the decision was taken for the “safety and wellbeing of all participants”.

The CA was in direct contact with the BCCI “to ensure the safe accommodation and repatriation of Australian players, coaches, match officials and commentators back home to Australia”.

The statement said both CA and ACA respected the Australian government’s decision “to pause travel from India until at least May 15 and will not seek exemptions”.

The BCCI on Tuesday postponed the IPL saying it “does not want to compromise on the safety of the players, support staff and the other participants involved in organising the IPL.

“This decision was taken keeping the safety, health and wellbeing of all the stakeholders in mind,” a BCCI statement said.

The BCCI said it was discussing with the authorities for the safe return of overseas players. "The BCCI will do everything in its powers to arrange for the secure and safe passage of all the participants in IPL 2021,” the statement said.

The BCCI decision came after it was forced to reschedule Monday’s game between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore in Ahmedabad after KKR spinner Varun Chakravarthy and pacer Sandeep Warrier tested positive for Covid-19.

On Monday itself, two members of the Chennai Super Kings' contingent  - including bowling coach L Balaj – were found to be Covid positive.

Moreover, on Tuesday, Delhi Capital’s Amit Mishra and Wriddhiman Saha of Sunrisers Hyderabad too tested positive.

The Australian government has suspended all flights from India till May 15 in view of the raging pandemic.

(SAM)