South Africa test players like Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi are likely to prefer the IPL to the home test series against Bangladesh from March 31st.
IPL 2022: South African cricketers led by Kagiso Rabada likely to skip Test series against Bangladesh for IPL (courtesy BCCI)
HIGHLIGHTS
- South African players led by Rabada are likely to prefer IPL to Bangladesh Tests
- 11 South African players were penned in by different IPL teams
- SA are expected to play 3 ODIs and two Tests against Bangladesh from March 18th.
South Africa test players like Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi are likely to play in the 2022 Indian Premier League (IPL) and miss the home test series against Bangladesh from March 31.
South Africa will play three ODIs and two Tests against Bangladesh from March 18, while the IPL is scheduled to take place from March 26 to May 29. The ODIs will take place on March 18th, 20th and 23rd, followed by two tests on March 31st and will end on April 12th.
No fewer than 11 South African players, including six Test regulars and three ODI players, have been recruited by various franchises at this year’s IPL. Indeed, South Africa’s pace attacker — consisting of Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje and Marco Jansen — and top hitters Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, all-rounder Dwaine Pretorius and limited-overs wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock — all have IPL contracts.
Previously, it was expected that the majority of South African players would miss the first week of the IPL from March 26 due to national commitments. ESPN Cricinfo reported that Rabada, Ngidi and Marco Jansen would miss testing to be available for the IPL from the start.
Jansen, impressed in the home series against India, was bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad at the IPL auction while Punjab secured the services of Rabada. Ngidi will represent Delhi Capitals. Anrich Nortje’s availability remains a question mark due to fitness issues. He was one of the retained players for the Delhi Capitals.
Test skipper Dean Elgar had declared a “litmus test of loyalty” for the IPL-bound players. However, it is understood that BCCI executives must have turned to CSA colleagues for a mediocre solution.
