COVID-19 hits IPL 2021 LIVE Updates: CSK's Michael Hussey latest to test positive after IPL-14 postponement

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has suspended the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 for the time being amid the burgeoning Covid-19 crisis in the country that has led to a few players -- both Indian and foreign -- opting to pull out of the ongoing season.

• Punjab Kings co-owner Ness Wadia is hopeful remainder of this season could be held later this year. READ: Punjab Kings co-owner Ness Wadia hopeful IPL 2021 can be held later this year

• CSK batsman Suresh Raina reacts:
  
  

  This isn’t a joke anymore! So many lives at stake & never felt so helpless in life. No matter how much we want to help, but we are literally running out of resources. Every single person of this country deserves a salute right for standing by each other to save lives! #WeCandoit

  — Suresh Raina (@ImRaina) May 4, 2021

• As per reports from ANI, the BCCI is mulling a September window to complete the IPL 2021 season provided the COVID-19 pandemic is under control in India.

• "We would be losing anything between Rs 2000 to Rs 2500 crore for the midway postponement of this season. I would say something in the range of Rs 2200 crore will be closer to accurate estimation," a BCCI official said to PTI.

• Hours after the IPL was postponed, multiple sources in the BCCI confirmed to Sportstar that the Board is keen on taking the T20 World Cup to the UAE, even though an ICC decision is expected in June.The Board officials also believe that with three grounds available in Sharjah, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, no air travel is needed and that would help them keep the bubble intact. “The hosting rights will be with the BCCI, so we will have to ensure that things go smoothly. These are still early days, but that’s how things stand,” he added.

• “As soon as the hard border shut, obviously no-one has experienced that before. It added a bit of anxiety for a few of the Aussies over here. But we signed up to play the tournament until the start of June. Hopefully it all reopens on May 15 and we’ll be able to get back. First thing was to find out whether us playing the IPL was the right thing and basically everyone said, we would be lost without the IPL for three or four hours every night. I’m just trying to do my bit. India’s been such a good country to me and cricketers." - Australia and KKR pacer Pat Cummins to Fox Sports

• IPL chairman Brijesh Patel said the BCCI will "find a way" to arrange for the return of foreign players after the league was suspended indefinitely due to a COVID-19 outbreak in its bio-bubble.
   
• 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.
   
• IPL suspended for this season: Vice-President BCCI Rajeev Shukla to ANI
   
• "The BCCI and the IPL GC have unanimously decided to postpone the 2021 season till further notice. We don't wish to compromise the safety of the players, the people involved, the employees, the groundsmen, the match officials, every single person involved." - BCCI Secretary Jay Shah to ANI
   
• Indian Premier League suspended indefinitely after multiple COVID-19 cases in its bio-bubble: league chairman Brijesh Patel to PTI
   
• Sunrisers Hyderabad's wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha has tested positive for COVID-19.
   
• IPL match between SRH vs MI has been suspended. "Yes, Wriddhiman Saha has tested positive for the coronavirus. Our entire team is now under isolation and there are no other positive reports, rest are all negative," the member of the team management said.
   
•  Delhi Capitals' Amit Mishra also tested positive for the virus.
   
• This comes after two KKR players -- Varun Chakravarthy and Sandeep Warrier -- tested positive for Covid-19 and two members of the Chennai Super Kings contingent.
• The IPL match between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) slated to be played on Monday evening was rescheduled for a later date.
•  The game between CSK and Rajasthan Royals is also set to be officially postponed as the CSK unit is in isolation.
• "We will take stock if we can find a suitable window later during the year. It could be September but these are all speculations. As of now we are not conducting it any further," BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla to PTI
• Last week, Australian players Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa and Kane Richardson flew home from the IPL amid the surge of cases.
• Richardson and Zampa were playing for Bangalore, and Tye for Rajasthan Royals.

Reactions

 

 

 

BCCI Official Statement VIVO IPL 2021 Postponed 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 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 wellbeing of all the stakeholders in mind. 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 will do everything in its powers to arrange for the secure and safe passage of all the participants in IPL 2021. The BCCI would like to thank all the healthcare workers, state associations, players, support staff, franchises, sponsors, partners and all the service providers who have tried to their best to organise IPL 2021 even in these extremely difficult times.