“Everyone’s pretty nervous about what’s going on over here, but they’re also pragmatic” – KKR mentor David Hussey

“Everyone’s pretty nervous about what’s going on over here, but they’re also pragmatic” – KKR mentor David Hussey


Kolkata Knight Riders mentor David Hussey says Australian players in India are nervous whether they can get back to their country as strict travel restrictions might get imposed following tense COVID-19 situation in India.

Hussey, while speaking exclusively to The Age and Sydney Morning Herald, said some of the local players in India had lost their relatives to the virus, which has intensely affected India. The current wave of coronavirus has wreaked havoc in India, with hospitals full, shortage of oxygen supply and people losing their lives in line to see the medical staff. The KKR mentor, however, said he was determined to stay till the end of the tournament while some of the Australians were getting ‘anxious’.

“Everyone’s sort of a bit nervous about whether they can get back into Australia,” he said [as quoted by Sydney Morning Herald]. “I dare say there’ll be a few other Australians a bit nervous about getting back into Australia.”

According to the report in the paper, several Australian players are considering leaving the tournament. While Rajasthan Royals confirmed that Andrew Tye will be leaving, two other cricketers in Adam Zampa and Kane Richardson have also left, it was confirmed by their franchise RCB.

Hussey, however, praised Cricket Australia and Australian Cricketers’ Association for their handling of the current situation, saying that talks were underway regarding the safe arrival of players from India.

“We’re stuck in bubbles. It’s probably not too dissimilar to what all Victorians experienced last year in lockdown really,” he said. “You get tested every second day. So it’s quite full-on but I think every precaution’s been taken for everyone’s safety.

“It is on the radar. It’s on the news every minute of the day. You see people in hospital beds. It puts a lot of things in perspective. We actually discussed after the game last night, how lucky we are to play the game and try to entertain people around the world.”