IPL 2020: England and Australia players to be part of KKR’s first match, says Venky Mysore

The Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) CEO Venky Mysore has stated that players coming to the IPL from England-Australia limited-overs series will be available for selection in the first match.

According to Mysore, the players won’t have to undergo the IPL’s mandatory six-day quarantine as they are travelling from one bio-secure bubble into another.

That means those who are travelling to Dubai will be available to their teams from day one: Dubai has no mandatory isolation period unless the person tests positive for COVID-19.

It’s worked out well and it’s good for the tournament: Mysore

“While they are still negotiating with the authorities, we are reconciled to the fact that we may have to quarantine our three players,” said Mysore as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

“They arrive on September 17, but our first game is on September 23, by which time they would’ve finished their [concessional six-day] quarantine. So it’s worked out well, and it’s good for the tournament, ” he added.

The franchise has three players — England captain Eoin Morgan, batsman Tom Banton and Australian fast bowler Pat Cummins — who are currently playing England-Australia limited over series.

While the Kolkata franchise is expecting match-winning knocks from England limited overs captain, Cummins could prove vital for the team with his raw pace and pinpoint accuracy. Cummins falls in the bracket of world’s leading fast bowlers and is the most expensive foreign pick of this season.

KKR and Mumbai Indians (MI) are currently practicing in Abu Dhabi. KKR will face champions MI in their first match on September 23. The players, participating in England-Australia series, will be flown into UAE on September 17, a day after the series ends.

Also read: Shah Rukh Khan unveils new campaign; urges fans to support KKR in IPL 2020