IPL tests Covid positive, halted
The Board of Control for Cricket in India on Tuesday decided to suspend the 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League indefinitely after new cases of Covid-19 added to the rising tally within its bio-secure bubble and disrupted a month-long relatively smooth run for cricket’s most glamorous and cashrich event in the middle of a raging pandemic. “The tournament has been suspended indefinitely. We will try to conduct the event in the next available window,” IPL chairman Brijesh Patel said.
The IPL’s postponement will raise questions on whether it is safe to host the T-20 World Cup due to be held in India in October. The ICC might move the global event to the UAE. And the IPL itself might have to move to the UAE or elsewhere to complete the unfinished portion of its 2021 season.
Mumbai Indians were due to meet the Sunrisers Tuesday night, but the Hyderabad franchise became the third team to be struck by Covid-19 when wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha tested positive. Later, Delhi Capitals' spinner Amit Mishra too joined the list. Last weekend, two players from KKR and two from the Chennai Super Kings backroom team had tested positive.
IPL chairman Brijesh Patel said the decision to suspend the league was taken in consideration for the safety of all stakeholders. “BCCI does not want to compromise on the safety of players, support staff and the other participants involved in organising the IPL,” a statement said.
The foreign players involved in the league are worried about returning home due to the travel restrictions imposed by various countries. The BCCI said it would do “do everything in its power to arrange for the secure and safe passage” of all the participants in IPL 2021.
“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 BCCI statement read.
The spread of infections
had led to postponement of two IPL games earlier. The league organisers also issued a formal statement and said the safety of its players and staff was paramount. “The Indian Premier League Governing Council (IPL GC) and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in an emergency meeting has unanimously decided to postpone IPL 2021 season, with immediate effect,” the statement read.
The IPL said BCCI will do all it can to ensure that players in the event get back to their homes safely. IPL features stars from England, Australia, and New Zealand, among other countries. “We will take stock if we can find a suitable window later during the year. It could be September, but this all speculation. As of now, we are not conducting it any further,” BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla said.
The tournament began on April 9 and ran smoothly before KKR’s Covid-19 cases caused initial jitters Monday. The tournament final was planned for May 30. There was cause of concern in Delhi too as groundsmen at the Ferozeshah Kotla Stadium tested positive even though DDCA chief Rohan Jaitley asserted “none of the groundsmen on duty” were among the infected.
Just a few days ago, three Australian players had pulled out of the league, citing Covid-19 concerns amid a devastating second wave of the global pandemic that has overwhelmed the medical infrastructure of the country.