Yesterday, three players’ covid result came positive. Earlier also, there were few positive cases in different IPL franchises. That forced BCCI to postpone the IPL current season. The governing committee did not declare any date to reschedule the remaining matches.
Why BCCI Postponed IPL 2021?
On Monday, Laxmipati Balaji(Chennai Super Kings bowling coach), Sandeep Warrier, and Varun Chakravarthy(both Kolkata Knight Riders bowlers) were tested positive for COVID-19.
When BCCI received these reports, it decided to postpone the current IPL session for an indefinite time. The IPL(Indian Premier League) management committee conducted a high-level meeting on Monday to take this decision.
Talking about the latest decision, BCCI released the given below official statement:
“The BCCI does not want to compromise on the safety of the players, support staff, and the other participants involved in organizing the IPL. This decision was taken keeping the safety, health, and well-being of all the stakeholders in mind. The BCCI will do everything in its powers to arrange for the secure and safe passage of all the participants in IPL 2021.”
In a discussion with Indian Express, BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla said:
“The IPL has been suspended for the time being. We spoke to everyone from teams, broadcasters and all those who were involved in it. It was decided to defer the IPL, especially looking at the sentiment and current situation in the country. For us players’ health is paramount and BCCI will always keeps safety first. We will meet again soon and decide when we can conclude this edition, we will have to see when is the next window available.”
Other Details related to Players’ Covid Status
Today, Hyderabad-based franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad’s wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha go Corona positive report. Yesterday’s game between Royal Challengers Banglore and Kolkata Knight Riders was postponed due to the covid positive reports of few KKR players. Today’s game is automatically postponed after the BCCI announcement.
Chennai franchise bowling coach corona report forced all Chennai team players to go in self-isolation for 6 days, as per IPL covid protocols. As per the IPL COVID-19 guidelines, “close contact” of an affected person should “isolate for six days” and return “3 negative tests on Day 1, 3, and 6”.
Before BCCI announced IPL suspension, the Chennai team already confirmed that they can’t play the Wednesday game against Rajasthan Royals due to covid protocols.
Some members talked about shifting IPL remaining matches to UAE but the committee did not approve it.
In a discussion with Indian Express, one of the BCCI officials said:
“It’s not feasible to take the IPL to UAE now, midway into the tournament.”
He further added:
“We are watching the situation closely. Can’t say at the moment if postponement (of the tournament) is an option. We are hoping that the situation will get better. We will decide as per the situation,” he had said.
Why the BCCI didn’t hold this year’s IPL also in UAE, he said:
“We had an excellent England series, where spectators were allowed inside the stadiums. India’s COVID-19 curve had flattened. So naturally, we didn’t think about organizing this year’s IPL in UAE. In England, Premier League continued when they had a second wave and the country went into a lockdown.”
