To return or not to return: Foreign players face dilemma ahead of IPL resumption

L-R: Jos Buttler, Josh Hazlewood, Ryan Rickelton and Marco Jansen

WTC Final, Eng-WI series leave franchises in a spot of bother with several foreign players in dilemma over return for IPL’s resumptionThe latest Cricket South Africa (CSA) directive of recalling its IPL-bound players by May 26 has come as a body blow for the franchises, who will chase different goals upon the resumption of the league on Saturday. Making life more difficult for the teams is the impact that the England-West Indies ODI series, beginning May 29, could have on them as well.SA, slated to face Australia in the WTC final at Lord’s in London from June 11, have reiterated their desire to bring the players back by the original deadline. “Our initial agreement with the IPL and the BCCI was that our players would return on May 26. As it stands, we are not budging on this,” SA coach Shukri Conrad said when asked about the extended IPL, which will run until June 3.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Eight players picked in SA’s 15-member WTC final squad, including Ryan Rickelton (Mumbai Indians), Kagiso Rabada (Gujarat Titans) and Marco Jansen (Punjab Kings), are contracted to IPL teams. SA are set to land in England on May 31 and play a four-day practice match against Zimbabwe from June 3, meaning their players are unlikely to feature in the playoffs.Who’s that IPL player?Meanwhile, Cricket Australia (CA) has put the ball in the players’ court, saying the team management will come up with fresh preparation plans for players “who choose to play” the rest of the IPL. Australia are scheduled to have a pre-final camp in Scotland from the end of this month, before travelling to England for the title clash. While Pat Cummins and Travis Head (both represent SRH who are eliminated) are likely to return, Josh Hazlewood (RCB) is set to give the final phase of IPL a miss.

The Englishmen who have been named in the contingent for the home assignment against the West Indies are expected to fly out of India before the IPL playoffs. Among those selected are Jos Buttler (Titans), Will Jacks (Mumbai) and Jacob Bethell (Royal Challengers), leaving their top-four chasing franchises with lastminute work to do.The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), like the CSA, had provided assurance that its centrallycontracted players would be available for the entire IPL, but has been left with no other option because of the revised schedule. There is no clarity on whether Sherfane Rutherford (GT) and Romario Shepherd (RCB), picked in the Windies ODI squad, will stay for the playoffs in case their teams make the cut.

HOW TEAMS COULD BE AFFECTEDGUJARAT TITANSJos Buttler: The versatile wicketkeeper-batter will be badly missed as he has formed a nearperfect top-three with skipper Shubman Gill and B Sai Sudharsan. The top-order has done the bulk of the scoring for GT this campaign.Sherfane Rutherford: The West Indian lends firepower to the Titans middleorder packed with uncapped Indians. He has delivered some crucial cameos and for now, GT do not have a like-forlike replacement in the squad, given Glenn Phillips too is out with injury.Kagiso Rabada: GT have performed well even in the absence of the ace South African pacer. If he doesn’t return, Gerald Coetzee, who is not part of SA WTC Final squad, can take his place.ROYAL CHALLENGERS BENGALURUJacob Bethell: The Englishman performed his duties after replacing the injured Phil Salt at the top of the order. With Salt expected to be back for the rest of the tournament – as mentioned by batting coach Dinesh Karthik – Bethell may not be much of a miss.Romario Shepherd: The all-rounder has been a regular in the XII since the time he came in for the out-of-form Liam Livingstone. The West Indian played a match-winning knock against CSK. He reached Bengaluru late on Wednesday, ending all speculation.Josh Hazlewood: Could be the biggest miss. The Australian pacer has spearheaded the attack and been one of the standout bowlers this season. RCB do not have a quality back-up who can match the calibre of Hazlewood and may have to rely on Nuwan Thushara.PUNJAB KINGSMarco Jansen: Another probable big blow. The South African all-rounder has been the best-performing overseas player for Punjab. He picked up his bowling form, especially with the new ball, as the tournament progressed. Fast bowler Xavier Bartlett can replace him if the lanky paceman doesn’t return.Josh Inglis: The Australian wicketkeeper-batter has been a floater in the line-up, but has not made a significant contribution yet. With Prabhsimran Singh being a mainstay, PBKS do not have an headache in the wicketkeeping department.Marcus Stoinis: Though not part of the WTC Final squad, there is a chance he may not return. The Aussie has not lived up to the expectations, barring the knock against SRH where he smashed four successive sixes. Azmatullah Omarzai, who broke back into the XII recently, can replace him.

MUMBAI INDIANSRyan Rickelton: The southpaw has formed a formidable opening pair with Rohit Sharma and has been in fine nick. MI do not have an overseas replacement for him at the moment, neither do they have a wicketkeeper batter close to that quality.Will Jacks: While the Englishman has not set the IPL on fire, he has been a utility player. With MI lacking a genuine off-spinner, he has chipped in with some crucial overs.Corbin Bosch: The South African made it to the XII following the injury to leftarm spinner Mitchell Santner. Once Santner is back in the mix, Bosch may not be missed much.DELHI CAPITALSJake Fraser-McGurk: Though not part of WTC Final squad, opener has pulled out citing personal reasons. Poor returns from the Aussie opener meant that he was already dropped from the DC team with Faf du Plessis coming in place of him.Mitchell Starc: The left-arm pacer lost steam in recent matches and did not provide the cutting edge at the start or death. Following his pull-out, Bangladesh’s Mustafizur Rahman has been drafted in and he can be a decent back-up.Tristan Stubbs: The South African has been a vital cog in the Capitals wheel, taking up one of the toughest jobs of finishing the innings. His probable absence can be a massive blow for DC.KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERSThey will not be missing any overseas players due to clash of schedules.LUCKNOW SUPER GIANTSAiden Markram: The opener has been one of the top run-getters for LSG, who will need his services for all three remaining league matches if they are to keep faint playoff hopes alive. Super Giants have Matthew Breetzke, but he may not be able to match Markram’s impact.* Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings have already been eliminated from the IPL.