ECB Confirms England players won't be available for IPL Play offs

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has decided that the English players participating in the ongoing IPL will not be allowed to play in the playoffs. Instead, they have been directed by the ECB to participate in the upcoming series against Pakistan starting on May 22. As a result, players like Jos Buttler of Rajasthan Royals, Phil Salt of Kolkata Knight Riders, and Moeen Ali of Chennai Super Kings will miss the IPL playoffs.

Today (Tuesday), the England squad for the T20 World Cup was announced. Many cricketers who are part of this squad are currently in India playing in the IPL. The playoff matches are scheduled to be held from May 21 to May 26, during which these English cricketers will not participate, as confirmed by ECB's Managing Director Rob Key.

Among the English cricketers currently playing in the IPL are Jonny Bairstow, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Will Jacks, and Reece Topley. However, their participation in the playoffs is uncertain, as their teams, Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore, would need to win all their remaining matches.

The cricketers will return to the UK around May 18-19, as reported by the cricket-based website Cricinfo. They will then prepare for the home series against Pakistan.

Rob Key, ECB's MD, said, "You can't just tell someone to come back without a reason. There are some regulations involved."

"We can't tell Phil Salt, for example, to come back and take a rest for 15 days without any injury or without a contractual agreement with England. But there is a window before the England series where you can bring your players back to play for England or due to injuries."