Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne Hints at Registering For IPL 2021 Auction
Marnus Labuschagne wants to throw his name into the hat ahead of the IPL 2021 auction, to be held on February 18, in Chennai.
Australian batsman Marnus Labuschagne has hinted at registering for the IPL auction ahead of the 2021 edition of the T20 league. In a BBL post-match interview, the 26-year-old Brisbane Heat batsman has spoken about his desire to participate in the ‘great competition’.
The mini-auction for the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League is scheduled to take place on February 18 in Chennai.
“I think so, I think so [will be registering for the IPL]. That will obviously be released really soonish anyway. You throw your name in the hat and see what happens. You know, like I’ve said that the IPL is a great competition. Personally, I would love to be part of it but, let’s see what happens,” said Labuschagne, who played for Brisbane Heat in Big Bash League 2021.
Batting at No.3 for the Brisbane Heat, Labuschagne showed red-hot form in the 2020-21 Big Bash League. In six innings, he scored 176 runs at an average of just under 30. He was more than handy with the ball as well, picking up 10 wickets at an average of 14.60 with his loopy leg-spin.
The star batsman is also hoping that an IPL call-up will help him fill a long gap between Tests.
Notably, the postponement of a tour of South Africa means that Australia’s next Test might not come until the start of the next home summer, when they host England and speaking on the same, Labuschagne said:
“Very disappointing to not be playing Test cricket for so long. I hope (there is potential to play sooner). If not, you need to make sure you get yourself ready for the Ashes. There’s no bigger series to get up for.”
This season, Marnus Labuschagne also became the only player in BBL history to score 40+ runs and scalp three wickets in the same match. However, despite his heroics, Brisbane Heat finished third in the BBL after a 49-run defeat to Perth Scorchers in the Challenger on Thursday.
Indian Premier League To be Held in April-May
As per some media reports, the 14th edition of the IPL is scheduled to be held in its original April-May window, but the venue and dates for IPL 2021 are yet to be announced by BCCI.
But BCCI treasurer Arun Singh Dhumal, last week, said that the board doesn’t even need to look at back-up overseas venues for hosting the upcoming season of IPL as the Covid-19 situation is improving in India. Dhumal told news agency PTI that BCCI is confident of hosting IPL 2021 in India unlike the previous edition, which was held in the UAE due to the pandemic.
“We are working on having the IPL in India and we are hopeful that we would be able to organize it. We are not even thinking of a back-up also at this point in time, we are wanting to do it here. India is probably safer than UAE at this point. Hopefully, the situation remains stable and keep improving and we will have it here,” Dhumal said.
