Australia batsman David Warner is ready to fly to India to participate in the Indian Premier League, if the tournament happens this year, his manager has confirmed, amidst uncertainty surrounding the postponed league.
Warner, named captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad this year, is willing to play the tournament, despite the level four travel ban imposed by Australia, following the coronavirus outbreak. The country has closed its borders, and advised citizens against flying abroad.
“If the IPL is on, David Warner’s planning on going,” James Erksine, Warner’s manager, told The Age. “If things change dramatically, which can happen in the space of an hour, the answer is you change your mind. It’s no different to everybody else.”
Warner and Rohit opening together 💪
No Chris Gayle 😮
MS Dhoni makes the cut 👴@kuks predicts who will be in the two IPL all-star XIs. https://t.co/wJWEVEcpFU— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) February 4, 2020
Warner has been playing for the Sunrisers since the 2014 season; he missed the 2018 edition due to his one-year suspension for ball tampering, as the Sunrisers replaced him with Kane Williamson as captain. With 4706 runs, Warner is the highest overseas run-getter in the tournament. His contract is reportedly worth USD 2.5 million.
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The BCCI postponed the 13th edition of the tournament, originally set to begin on March 29, to April 15, as a precautionary measure to contain the virus outbreak. The Indian government has also cancelled most visas till mid-April.
Reportedly, Warner’s visa was rejected last month, after the Indian government clamped down on non-diplomatic/non-work visas as a measure to combat the Covid-19 outbreak.
