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International Cricket Stars Leave India With 'Heavy Heart' as COVID Halts Indian Premier League

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Cricket ball - Sputnik International, 1920, 06.05.2021
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The super rich Indian Premier League, that pays up to $2 million to top players for one season, was being played in a "bio-bubble," but it was breached, forcing the tournament to end early.

Top international cricket players who were competing in the recently suspended Indian Premier League (IPL) have left India on an emotional note, including Rajasthan Royals' star batsman Jos Buttler, who sent his best wishes to the people of India amid "trying times."

​The suspension of the world's most expensive cricket league left nearly 40 foreign players stranded in India after several countries closed their borders to people travelling from the Asian nation. 

India has recorded the world's highest ever spike in COVID infections in 24 hours at 412,262, as well as a record number of virus-related deaths: 3,980.

Several Australian cricket players flew to the Maldives before heading home to Australia, where the government has threatened anyone defying strict travel rules with heavy fines and even jail. Eight English players are on their way back home from India. 

Tom Moody, Sri Lanka's cricket director and former international cricketer – who is also the director of the IPL team Sunrisers Hyderabad – said, "To those who are suffering my heart is filled with love for you and your families, I pray for your safety and well being."

​Simon Doull, a New Zealander cricket commentator and former international player, took to Twitter to offer his condolences.

​Alan Wilkin, a Welsh cricket commentator and former cricketer, said he was leaving India "with a heavy heart" because the country has been "extraordinary kind" to him. 

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