Lives matter more; don’t rush to India: Mitchell Johnson

Renowned former cricketer Mitchell Johnson, celebrated for his formidable career, has won two Indian Premier League (IPL) titles with the Mumbai Indians in 2013 and 2017. However, Johnson has recently expressed strong reservations about Australian players, including Pat Cummins, returning to the IPL as it is set to resume on May 17 following a week's hiatus due to the Indo-Pak conflict.

In a candid column for The Western Australian, Johnson emphasized the heavy burden of decision-making that Australian cricketers face. "While Cricket Australia allows players to make independent choices, the implications of these choices are significant," he stated. "Choosing not to participate may lead to disappointment or possibly impact their professional and financial future, but safety should always be the primary concern."

Reflecting on his own potential decision, Johnson asserted that he would refrain from returning to India in similar circumstances, prioritizing life and safety over financial gain. "If I had to decide whether to head back to India to complete the tournament, it would be an obvious choice. It's a no from me. Lives and safety are paramount, not paychecks," Johnson declared.

The dilemma isn't confined to the IPL alone; the Pakistan Super League is similarly challenged by the decision of overseas players regarding their return. Johnson insists that players must have autonomy over such personal decisions without feeling pressured by any league demands. "It’s a personal decision. No one should be coerced or feel obligated to return, even if the IPL and Pakistan Super League push firmly for it. Both competitions should consider ending now or relocating, though such moves carry substantial financial implications," wrote Johnson.

Johnson also noted the differing approaches of national cricket boards, highlighting that Cricket South Africa has adopted a stricter stance compared to the more laissez-faire approach of Cricket Australia. This contrast is particularly noteworthy given CSA's financial associations with India via the SA20 competition.

The IPL final, now rescheduled for June 3, presents another layer of complexity, encroaching upon preparations for the World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord's, set to commence just a week later. "With the IPL final now pushed back to June 3, just a week before the WTC final starts at Lord's, the impact on player preparation for what is effectively Test cricket's marquee event is concerning. South Africa seems to take a harder line with their players than Australia, which is intriguing given the financial ties between India and South Africa through the SA20," Johnson observed.