IPL suspended over cases; BCCI assures players’ safe return
A barrage of COVID-19 cases forced the IPL’s indefinite suspension on Tuesday, a move that was welcomed by the franchises even as the league’s jittery foreign recruits waited for BCCI’s plan of action to ensure their return amid some strict travel restrictions.
The decision to postpone the league was announced after SunRisers Hyderabad batsman Wriddhiman Saha and Delhi Capitals spinner Amit Mishra joined the infected players’ list, which already had Kolkata Knight Riders’ Varun Chakravarthy and Sandeep Warrier. Chennai Super Kings’ bowling coach L Balaji was among the prominent non-playing staff to test positive. CSK batting coach Mike Hussey also tested positive.
“The Indian Premier League Governing Council and BCCI in an emergency meeting has unanimously decided to postpone IPL 2021 season, with immediate effect,” a statement from the IPL read after the development was confirmed by its chairman Brijesh Patel. “The BCCI does not want to compromise on the safety of the players, support staff and the other participants involved in organising the IPL. This decision was taken keeping the safety, health and well-being of all the stakeholders in mind,” it added. The IPL said BCCI will do all it can to ensure that players in the event get back to their homes safely.
T20 World Cup set for UAE shift:
This year’s T20 World Cup is set to be moved from India to the UAE with the BCCI acknowledging that none of the participating teams would be “comfortable” coming here because “a third wave” of COVID-19 cases is expected at the time of the event. While a final decision will be taken in a month’s time but it is understood that even the Indian cricket board is jittery about holding the 16-team tournament in October-November after the ongoing IPL had to be suspended because of multiple cases inside the bio-bubble.
IPL chairman Brijesh Patel on Tuesday said the BCCI will “find a way” to send the league’s foreign recruits back to their respective countries after the event was suspended indefinitely due to a COVID-19 outbreak in its bio-bubble.
“We need to send them home and we will find a way to do that,” Brijesh replied when asked how will the foreigners return home but did not elaborate beyond that.
The foreigners involved in the lucrative league are concerned about returning to their respective countries due to travel restrictions imposed in the wake of a deadly resurgence of the pandemic in India.
The BCCI had assured foreign players of a safe return earlier as well.
The IPL had 14 Australian players left, after three pullouts a few days ago, along with 10 from New Zealand and 11 Englishmen. South Africa had 11 players in the league, which also featured nine West Indians, three Afghans and two from Bangladesh.
In a joint statement, Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers Association said they respect their government’s decision to suspend flights operating out of India due to the COVID surge here and will not seek exemptions for its players stuck in the country ravaged by a deadly second wave of the pandemic.
“CA is in direct contact with the BCCI as they work through plans to ensure the safe accommodation and repatriation of Australian players, coaches, match officials and commentators back home to Australia.
“CA and the ACA respect the decision of the Australian Government to pause travel from India until at least May 15 and will not seek exemptions.” They further stated, “CA and the ACA thank the BCCI for their efforts and cooperation for the safe repatriation of all participants at the IPL.” Reacting to the big BCCI move, Cricket South Africa (CSA) said it is in contact with its players who will need to home quarantine on arrival from India as per the World Health Organization recommendations.
“Those travelling back to South Africa will undergo home quarantine in line with the current World Health Organization recommendations,” it said in a release. “CSA and the South African Cricketers Association (SACA) are in contact with all players and are assured of their safety and comfort in their respective locations.”
CSA said it supported the BCCI decision of suspend the league keeping in mind the current situation.