“More important life”: 2 times IPL winning foreign stars urge that they do not return to India

One of the finest cricketers of his generation, Mitchell Johnson is one of the few players who have won many Indian Premier League (IPL) titles. He did so during his tenure with Mumbai Indians in 2013 and 2017. Despite seeing the high of the IPL Trophy twice, Johnson has urged Pat Cummins and other Australian stars not to return to the T20 league as it resumes on 17 May, which after a week’s barrier due to the Indo-Pak struggle.

“Cricket Australia has empowered players to make their decisions, those options can be heavy. Not to play, disappointment or even professional and financial results can give rise to, but prioritizing security is first and the foremost,” Johnson said in a column on Western Australia.

At the individual level, Johnson said that if he had joined such a situation, he would not have returned to India.

“If I had to make a call whether to go back to India and finish the tournament, it will be an easy decision. It is not one for me. Life and security is the most important thing, not paying checks.

Not only the IPL, but also Pakistan Super League is in a similar boat, where the return of foreign stars has become a challenge to resume the league.

“This is a personal decision. No one should be forced or feel pressure to return, even if the IPL and Pakistan Super League, which has been stopped, work hard for this.

Johnson was quite surprised to see that Cricket South Africa opted for a much more rigorous stance on the matter compared to Cricket Australia. CSK has determined May 27 as the deadline for the return-bound players of its World Test Championship. On the other hand, the CA has left the players to make elections.

“With the IPL final now, it was now pushed back on 3 June, just one week before the WTC final started at Lord’s, the impact on the players’ preparations, which is believed to have cricket’s showpiece match, is another issue. South Africa is taking a very difficult line with its players compared to Australia, which, looking at financial relations between India and South Africa, said Johnson.