Off spinner Ravichandran Ashwin opts out of IPL

I would be taking a break from this years IPL from tomorrow. My family and extended family are putting up a fight against #COVID19 and I want to support them during these tough times.

Hyderabad: In a big setback to Delhi Capitals, premier off spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has decided to opt out of the on-going Indian Premier League (IPL), citing that he needs to support his family and extended family in the `war’ against Covid-19.

Taking to twitter made this announcement but promised to return if normalcy returns and things go in the right direction. The Tamil Nadu off spinner, who has played in five match so far which includes the Sunday match thriller against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Chennai, is the first Indian player to take a break from the game amidst the growing clamour of stopping the lucrative IPL because of the dreaded Covid-19 that has seen massive spurt in cases in the country.

“I would be taking a break from this years IPL from tomorrow. My family and extended family are putting up a fight against #COVID19 and I want to support them during these tough times. I expect to return to play if things go in the right direction. Thank you @DelhiCapitals,” said the 34-year-old in a social media post.

Meanwhile, according to Cricket Australia, fast bowler AJ Tye flew to Mumbai to Doha on his way to Sydney. The Australian, who plays for Rajasthan Royals, is returning home after the Australian federal government announced last week it will stop almost a third of flights from India due to the surge of coronavirus cases there.

Tye, who was with the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, said he’s since been contacted by other Australian players currently in India, enquiring about how he managed to secure a flight home.

‘’There’s definitely concerns,” Tye said. “A lot of guys have been in touch today once they’ve realised I was leaving.

“Some of the guys are very interested in what route I took home and how I approached it. Other guys are just happy to make sure I’m OK and I’m in a good space. There is some concern. I’m not sure if I’ll be the only on,’’ said the 34-year-old fast bowler.