 The top-order batsman for the Kings XI Punjab, Ravi Bopara is contemplating
whether or not to participate in the third edition of the Indian Premier League.
He has said that he will not depart for India till he is sure about the security
situation in the country and has accordingly delayed his flight to India. He also
added that he wasn't sure about whether he wants to play in the tournament or
not.
The English top-order batsman also said that he was apprehensive about the
situation and will need to wait for the report from Reg Dickason before
arriving at the decision whether or not to play in the tournament. Dickason
had earlier said that the security threat made to the country was a creditable
one and that the players needed to look at the situation before taking the decision.
Brigade 313, a terror group which is a part of the Al-Qaeda had earlier, warned
players from various sports and countries to not tour India.
Talking to a newspaper in England, Ravi Bopara said, "Cricket is
my living and in many ways my life. But it is not worth dying for." He
also said, "At the moment I'm nowhere with this decision. I've had some
contact with other players. No one has said they are definitely not going, but
no one has said they definitely are either."
Adding to it, he said that the situation was a big quandary for him and he
did not know what he needed to do next. He also added that the franchise had
been in touch with him and that they had exchanged their feelings. He said that
he also understood the franchise's concerns and would look to make a decision,
one way or the other. However, he added that he will not make haste while coming
at a decision.
Modi had earlier pointed out that the English batsman had spoken with Modi
and that he would be coming over for the tournament. Modi had been critical
of the Australian Cricketers Association and Ricky Ponting in particular
for poisoning the other players' ears into not playing the IPL. Modi had also
said that Aussie skipper was doing so, because, he was probably dropped from
the IPL team by the Kolkata Knight Riders.
Bopara was bought for $450,000 at the 2009 auction. He is one of the eight
England cricketers to play in the tournament.
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