MUMBAI – England on Thursday withdrew several of its key players from the Indian Premier League (IPL) to participate in the upcoming series against Pakistan.
The international media reported that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) directed its players to leave their respective IPL teams and return home.
The key players among these Jonny Bairstow, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Ben Stokes, Reece Topley, Jos Buttler, Phil Salt and Moeen Ali. Their departure from the IPL is in preparation for their representation of England in the upcoming series against Pakistan.
In response to this move, former Indian cricket team captain Sunil Gavaskar expressed strong criticism against the players who left the IPL mid-season.
He emphasized the necessity of imposing strict penalties on such players, and suggested fines and potential contract reconsideration by their respective IPL franchises.
Gavaskar also raised questions regarding the benefits received by cricket boards from the IPL, highlighting the need for transparency and accountability in the process.
