IPL 2021: After cricketers, umpires Nitin Menon, Paul Reiffel pull out of IPL, says report- After a number of players pulled out of IPL 2021, umpires Menon and Reiffel have pulled out of IPL amid unprecedented cases of COVID-19 in India. As per a report, ICC’s Elite Panel of Umpires Nitin Menon and Australian Paul Reiffel withdraws from the IPL due to personal reasons.
While Menon flew to Indore after his mother and wife tested positive for the virus, Reiffel went back a few days ago after the Australian government banned flights from India till May 15.
“Nitin has a small child to look after as his mother and wife have tested positive while Reiffel informed BCCI that he fears not being able to go home due to the Australian government’s decision banning all flights from India. The BCCI already had several local umpires as backup so they will be officiating in games in which Menon and Reiffel were scheduled to stand,” a BCCI official told Indian Express.
It is notable R Ashwin (India) was the latest player to pull out of IPL. Earlier Aussies Andrew Tye, Kane Richardson and Adam Zampa also pulled out of the IPL. It is notable that England’s Liam Livingstone had left RR after bubble fatigue.
Also Read: IPL 2021: DC’s R Ashwin takes break from IPL to ‘support family’ amid pandemic
Also Read: IPL 2021: RCB’s Adam Zampa and Kane Richardson returns to Australia due to Covid-19 surge
On Tuesday, BCCI’s interim chief executive officer Hemang Amin told all the officials and players involved that they will arrange smooth transport back home once the tournament gets over.
“The BCCI is monitoring the situation very closely and is working with the government authorities to make arrangements to get you home once the tournament concludes. Be rest assured that the tournament is not over for BCCI till each one of you has reached your home, safe and sound,” he wrote in an email, the report added.
MI opening batsman Chris Lynn had asked for a charter plane to go back to Australia but Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison had cleared that no preferential treatment will be given to players playing in IPL.
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