The England Cricket Board (ECB) has asked the cricketers to leave the IPL and return home for the World Cup and bilateral series. Former legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar was upset after hearing such announcement. Gavaskar suggested that if a cricketer leaves the IPL without completing the entire season, their salary should be cut.

But England’s cricketers are not listening to Gavaskar’s words. They have already started leaving the IPL. The English are returning home to play a 4-match T20 series against Pakistan. Besides, one of the reasons for leaving the IPL is the preparations for the World Cup, which will start from June 1. Because, all 8 of England’s World Cup team are now in IPL.

Among the 8 cricketers in the IPL, Liam Livingstone is the first to fly to England. This all-rounder of Punjab Kings is returning home for rest before the World Cup.

Livingstone wrote on Instagram, ‘One more year of IPL done. I need to rest for the upcoming World Cup. Thanks again to the Punjab Kings fans for all their love and support. Disappointing season as a team and individually. But as always I enjoy every minute of playing in the IPL.

Will Jacks and Reese Topley left the country before Livingstone. Jos Buttler playing for Rajasthan Royals will leave India next Wednesday. Besides, Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Sam Curren and Phil Salt will return to the country within the next week.

Earlier in a column in Mid-Day, Gavaskar had claimed that the IPL suffers due to cricketers returning home mid-tournament. Gavaskar advised punishing those who leave before the end of the session. Former Indian cricketer in favor of not giving such commission to the board.

He claims that the board knowingly sends the cricketers. Then again the cricketers are asked to return home for the World Cup or bilateral series. If they have to go, then what is the need to send?

Gavaskar, in a column written in Mid-Day, said, “So far I have not heard of any other board, except the ECB, asking players to be recalled for preparation and rest for the World Cup. Before the auction, BCCI talked to all the boards about getting the players for the entire season. Because it was known that the World Cup will start a few days after the IPL. BCCI told the franchises how long the players will stay only after the confirmation of the boards.

He also said, ‘The money given to the player, the franchisee must not deduct from it, the board cannot also be given the money due to the player. The board gets 10 percent commission for each player. If the board has guaranteed to play the entire season, they also need to be fined.