3 Reasons why IPL 2019 might not be as successful as the previous editions

#2 Unavailability of foreign players

Rajasthan Royals will miss the services of Jos Buttler in the second leg of the tournament

The central obstruction for this year’s IPL is the ICC Cricket World Cup which is bound to start immediately after IPL. With the World Cup being the top priority for all the nations, the cricket boards would not want to put their team balance in jeopardy by risking their players in the IPL which has an intensive two-month schedule.

England and Wales cricket board (ECB) has already made it clear that all the English players won’t be available in the month of May as they have scheduled bilateral ODI series with Pakistan and Ireland. Same goes with Cricket Australia (CA) Board. It was evident in the IPL released-player list last month. Most of the franchises let go critical players from Australia and England with no clarity of their availability.

It won’t be a surprise if the South African cricket board recalls its key players as well. South Africa are scheduled to play the World Cup opener on 30th may against hosts England at the Kia Oval in London, and the availability of the likes of Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Faf du Plessis is undoubtedly in question.