Cricket South Africa has denied the rumours that they sent a proposal to the BCCI to withdraw the Proteas players from the IPL early.

Injury worries have hovered over the Proteas players throughout the IPL. The final is just 18 days before the opening World Cup match between England and South Africa, which means that the Proteas players involved won’t have much rest before the tournament kicks off.

According to reports, Ottis Gibson sent a proposal to CSA CEO Thabang Moroe requesting the return of his players in the first week of May, well ahead of the IPL final on 12 May 2019. This would see his players withdrawn well after England and Australia pulled their key players from the tournament.

This proposal was allegedly sent to the BCCI, who threatened to cancel the upcoming bilateral series against South Africa scheduled from December 2021 to January 2022, but CSA denied these claims.

‘That is not valid by any means. We don’t know about such a proposal made to the official,’ said a CSA spokesperson as stated by TimesLive.

‘Our understanding is that‚ as is the case with New Zealand, the Windies‚ etcetera‚ we as CSA do our best to assist our players in maximising their IPL income.

‘It is only Australia and England who can afford to pull their players out.’

Kagiso Rabada was the only player to be withdrawn from the tournament early due to a stiff back. Proteas skipper Faf du Plessis, superstar spinner Imran Tahir and star wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock will take part in the IPL final on Sunday.