NZC Chief confirms New Zealand players to be available for IPL 2021 UAE leg

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) Chief David White has confirmed that the Kiwi players will be available for the entire duration of the second leg of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The remaining 31 matches will be played from September 19 with the final scheduled to take place on October 15. The second leg will resume with the iconic game between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings.

The franchises were in a fix over New Zealand players' availability as they were set to tour Pakistan in September-October window for a limited-overs series. But David White's confirmation has put all the doubts to rest and the teams are now awaiting availability confirmation of the players from Australia and England.

"New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson, Trent Boult, James Neesham, and Lockie Ferguson will feature in the second phase of the IPL 2021 in the UAE," White said according to Geo TV. The New Zealand players featuring in the 2021 season of the IPL are Kane Williamson (SRH), Adam Milne (MI), Trent Boult (MI), Mitchell Santner (CSK), Lockie Ferguson (KKR), Tim Seifert (KKR), Finn Allen (RCB) and Kyle Jamieson (RCB).

One of the franchise officials was happy to know about the development and hoped that the BCCI solves the issue of player availability of England and Australia. West Indies cricketers are also set to play in the IPL 2021 second leg as the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) will end on September 15.

"We are much relieved now. BCCI are in talks with English and Australian boards to come to a consensus regarding this. Given April and May are earmarked for the IPL, they are right to raise their own objections, but we are now confirmed to witness New Zealand players in action," one of the franchises officials told Cricket.com.