'Up to players whether they choose IPL or Bangladesh Tests' CSA

Cricket South Africa (CSA) has left the decision on their players to choose between the Indian Premier League (IPL) and upcoming series against Bangladesh, consisting of two Tests and three ODIs, which starts on March 18.

The ODIs will be played on March 18, 20 and 23, followed by the Tests from March 31 to April 12. 

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The 15th edition of IPL is scheduled to begin on March 26 and the final will be played on May 29 with a three-day mandatory quarantine is the requirement before entering the IPL bubble.

ESPNcricinfo has reported that CSA has left the decision to the players, and according to Test skipper Dean Elgar, it will be a loyalty test for the players with IPL contracts

"The players need to give Cricket South Africa an indication of if they are keen to go to the IPL or if they are keen to play for the Test side. It's a bit of a tough one putting that in the players' box but this I guess, this is where you see where players' loyalty lies," Elgar said as quoted by the publication.

"They mustn't forget that Test cricket or one-day cricket got them into the IPL and not the other way around."

A total of 11 South African players, including six regular Test and three ODI players, have been bought in auction by different franchises at this year's IPL.

South Africa's pace attack, consisting of Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Marco Jansen and top batters Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, all-rounder Dwaine Pretorius and white ball wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock - all have IPL contracts.

Suppose the first choice pacers prefers to play IPL. In that case, Elgar will be left with an inexperienced attack with Lutho Sipamla, Wiaan Mulder and Glenton Stuurman and the Proteas skipper said he needs to be aware of their availability to plan the Bangladesh series.

"I wish I knew more for my own personal sanity and that I could prepare, knowing that most of my bowlers are potentially not going to be there if they choose to go the IPL route," Elgar said.

"If I don't have everyone at my disposal then it's a little bit difficult. It's a bit of a tough one for me. I can't take the field without my best side. I need my best side there. If they are not available, it's something for us to sit down and get through."

Elgar will try to make the players aware of their importance in the team to help them make a better decision.

"I can just make them aware of their position within our set-up. They all play a big role. It's up to me to go up to each individual and point out to them that they mustn't forget where they've come from as players and where we've come from as a group," he said.

"The next few days might be busy and interesting for me. I owe it to our group to give them the best chance to make a decision. If it means I need to make them aware of their positions in the side, then I have to do that.

"Because for me, it's about the bigger picture. It's about us playing as much Test cricket as possible. We're already playing so little Test cricket. We can't have our best players around when the team is called upon to go out and perform."

Remember, CSA previously allowed the players to travel for IPL in the middle of the white-ball series against Pakistan last year.

They also didn't hand NOCs to any centrally contracted players for the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) season seven in January 2022 and told them to prioritise domestic competitions.