IPL suspended due to COVID-19

NEW DELHI, (Reuters) - The Indian Premier League (IPL) was suspended indefinitely yesterday due to the COVID19 crisis in the country, leaving many international players with major concerns over how they will return home.

The organising Indian cricket board (BCCI) and the league’s governing council members convened an emergency meeting at which they decided to suspend the tournament with immediate effect.

The BCCI had forged ahead with the league despite fierce criticism for staging it in a country where coronavirus infections surged past 20 million yesterday.

“These are difficult times, especially in India, and while we have tried to bring in some positivity and cheer, however, it is imperative that the tournament is now suspended and everyone goes back to their families and loved ones in these trying times,” the league said in a statement.

“The BCCI will do everything in its powers to arrange for the secure and safe passage of all the participants in IPL 2021.”

The eight-team IPL, with an estimated brand value of $6.8 billion, is the richest Twenty20 league and attracts many of the best players from around the world to cricket-crazy India.

As many as 57 foreign players, including 14 Australians, are currently stuck in India along with dozens of support staff.

IPL chairman Brijesh Patel told Reuters it was too early to say when the league, originally scheduled to culminate in a May 30 final in Ahmedabad, could resume.

“We are looking for another window,” Patel said by telephone. “Right now we can’t say when we can reschedule it.”

A suspension looked almost inevitable after Monday’s game in Ahmedabad had to be postponed after two Kolkata Knight Riders players tested positive for COVID19.

Two non-playing members of Chennai Super Kings also contracted the virus in Delhi, prompting questions about the robustness of the league’s bio-bubble arrangements.