Ever since the cancellation of the 5th Test match against India owing to the team's support staff members testing positive for Covid-19, several England players have pulled out of the UAE leg of Indian Premier League (IPL) scheduled to begin on September 19.

While Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes, and Jofra Archer had announced their withdrawal from the cash rich league much earlier, a number of players, including Chris Woakes, Dawid Malan and Jonny Bairstow, have decided to not be part of the IPL 2021 campaign. Of the 10 English players who were supposed to take part in the tournament, RCB's George Carton and CSK's Sam Curran and Moeen Ali are the only players expected to be available for the matches set to be held in the UAE and Oman.

Claiming that he would have loved to play in the IPL England and Delhi Capitals all-rounder Chris Woakes reportedly said, "My inclusion in the World Cup squad, I didn't know was going to happen - especially a couple of months ago. The IPL has been rescheduled and thrown on to the end of our summer. With the World Cup and the Ashes, it would have been too much in a short space of time. I would have loved to have been part of the IPL but something has to give." Meanwhile, an official from one of the IPL franchises is apparently upset with the development and even wrote to the BCCI regarding the matter.

"I spoke to our contracted player in England on Thursday evening and he confirmed his arrival to UAE on 15th Sep & also requested us to make arrangements for his partner who he said will be joining with him. We agreed for the same. And on Saturday, we were informed that he is not coming. Coaches, management all are very upset. This is completely unprofessional and against the spirit of our contracts," InsideSport quoted a source as saying.