Trent Boult, Mumbai Indians pace spearhead has said he would love to play the remaining matches of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021, slated to take place in the UAE later this year.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Saturday announced it will complete the remaining matches of IPL 2021 in the months of September and October in UAE.
Trent Boult Looking Forward To Finish Off IPL 2021 Campaign At UAE
New Zealand pacer Trent Boult, who has been relishing his IPL stint in the past couple of years, expressed excitement for playing in the remainder of the tournament
“It’s (India) a beautiful place to go, I obviously have experienced India a lot, the fans and culture too but it was different this time, obviously very quiet, the usual hum around the streets, the fans were just not there,” Boult said in a virtual press conference.
“It was differently different to play half of the tournament. Looks like it is moving forward to the UAE, it was held very nicely last year there. If I’ll get a chance I’ll be looking forward to finish that campaign off myself,” he added.
The IPL 2021 was suspended in May as BCCI didn’t want to compromise on the safety of the players, support staff, and the other participants involved in organizing the tournament with an eye on the COVID-19 situation.
The left-arm pacer was an exciting addition to the Mumbai Indians squad in the IPL 2020 season as being a senior international cricketer, he bought a wealth of experience. Trent Boult was truly sensational in the 13th edition, sharing the new ball with Jasprit Bumrah.
Trent Boult is also an amazing fielder and has taken some of the most astounding catches. He picked as many as 25 scalps in only 15 games averaging 18.28 in IPL 2020 and picked 8 scalps in 7 games in IPL 2021 averaging 27.87 before its suspension.
Trent Boult Decided To Come Home And Spend Some Time With Family
Trent Boult admitted that things escalated quite quickly last month but the pacer was grateful to feature in the IPL 2021 before it was suspended. Trent Boult, who represented Mumbai Indians in the suspended Indian Premier League, flew straight to New Zealand from India to spend time with family and did not go to England.
The 31-year-old had to spend two weeks in isolation on returning to New Zealand and managed to get out only on May 23. Trent Boult will arrive In the UK on Friday but will be available only for the World Test Championship final against India from June 18. The left-arm pacer who is already skipping the first Test against England that begins at Lord’s on Wednesday will also miss the second Test against England at Edgbaston from June 10.
“I suppose things obviously escalated pretty quickly over there. I made the decision to come home and get a bit of time with family,” said Boult.
“Very grateful in the first place to be involved in the IPL to get an opportunity to play on that stage. What happened was very unfortunate, I’m glad that I got out safely and can move forward now,” he added.
Meanwhile, BCCI has decided that it will keep a window till around July before taking a call on the availability of foreign players. Speaking to ANI, sources in the know of developments in the BCCI SGM said the state associations were informed that discussions will be had with all the foreign boards and a decision will be taken around July on whether foreign players will be available or if there will be the need for replacement players to come in.
Cricket Australia’s (CA) chief executive Nick Hockley has said that the board’s first priority is to ensure that the players are reunited with their families and a call on their participation in the IPL resumption will be taken later.