According to reports, South African players will give priority to IPL over Bangladesh Test series.© AFP
South African Test players, including Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi, have opted to play the IPL in the home Test series against Bangladesh from March 31. The series begins with three ODIs scheduled on March 18, 20 and 23 respectively where star players will be available. Earlier, most of the South African players would not be able to play in the first week of IPL starting March 26 due to national commitments. ESPN Cricinfo reported that Rabada, Ngidi and Marco Jensen will not be able to play in the Tests that will be available for the IPL from the start.
Johnson, who impressed in the home series against India, was bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL auctions while Punjab hired Rabada. Ngidi will represent Delhi Capitals.
Enrique Nortje’s availability remains a question mark due to fitness issues. He was one of the retained players for Delhi Capitals.
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Test captain Dean Elgar called it a “litmus test of allegiance” for IPL-bound players.
However it is understood that top BCCI officials may have reached out to CSA counter-parts amid the roadblock.
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