However, foreign cricketers are refusing to return to the league, considering it a threat, while other boards are also raising questions about the security of their players. Under the IPL contract rules, India cannot force foreign players to return. According to media reports, under the IPL rules, players will be free to opt out of contracts in case of extraordinary circumstances such as war, natural disasters or political unrest and they will not need the permission of the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has used its influence on other boards to send a message to the players to return, which is a violation of the IPL’s own rules. Cricket Australia had said in a statement issued yesterday that the board will respect the players’ decision and if they want to go, no one will stop them, but the team management reserves the right to make decisions about the players participating in the World Test Championship. The board added that it is in touch with the Indian board regarding security arrangements for its cricketers. Similarly, the England Cricket Board had also announced that it will not allow its players to travel to India to participate in the knockout round. On the other hand, foreign cricketers in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) are feeling safe. Many stars including England’s Alex Hales, Australia’s David Warner, Bangladesh star cricketer Shakib Al Hasan and Sri Lanka’s Dinesh Chandimal are ready to come and play in Pakistan.