Australia’s IPL contingent reaches Sydney from the Maldives

After a herculean effort from IPL teams under the guidance of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, the Australian contingent of players, support staff, and commentators reached Australia safely. The entire contingent arrived in Sydney on Monday from Maldives where they had to quarantine after IPL was suspended due to COVID-19 scare.

Cricket Australia interim chief Nick Hockley expressed delight and gratitude the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for ensuring the players, support staff, and the commentators reached home safely.

The players, support staff and commentators had to be shifted out of India to the Maldives via chartered planes after the Australian government banned flights from India until May 15 due to COVID-19 second wave in India.

"We are delighted. We're really grateful to the BCCI for getting them home quickly and safely. I haven't spoken to them since they've landed, but obviously, we've been in text exchange and I'm sure they'll be very relieved and very appreciative to be home," Hockey said, as quoted by Sydney Morning Herald.

According to some reports in the Australian media, the 14-day quarantine of the contingent in Australia will be paid by the BCCI.