South Africa’s top pacers, Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi have unanimously decided to join the IPL over the two home Tests against Bangladesh.
South Africa’s captain Dean Elgar was also aware of the issue as well as Cricket South Africa.
Thus, the board had given two options to all the players as to whether they wanted to play in the IPL or the two Tests against Bangladesh.
Usually, member boards do not host any series parallelly to the IPL. But this year, the situation is different as the IPL has 10 teams and the tournament will go on for 2 months.
The contract between the BCCI and CSA remains unchanged despite a longer IPL season.
This decision makes South Africa a weakened side against Bangladesh as their entire front-line seam attack would not be available.
Apart from Ngidi and Rabada, Marco Jansen will also be leaving for India to play for the Sunrisers Hyderabad this season.
Anrich Nortje is facing back and hip issues and will not be at the team’s disposal any moment soon.
Thus, South Africa will have to bring in new seamers such as Lutho Sipamla and Lizaad Williams.
Keshav Maharaj will also feature in the squad as the front-line spinner.
Meanwhile, Cricket South Africa are also looking at some other bowling options as well.
George Linde and Duanne Olivier are available for selection while Beauran Hendricks will be playing county cricket in England.
CSA will further try to persuade Rabada to stay at least for the first Test if not more.
