BCCI suspended IPL 2021 amid rising number of Covid-19 cases among players and support staff in the last 48 hours. A total of 29 league games were played this season. 30th match between RCB and KKR was rescheduled on Monday after Varun Chakravarthy and Sandeep Warrier tested positive in the IPL 2021 bio-bubble.
On Tuesday, hours before the clash between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Mumbai Indians (MI) in New Delhi, wicketkeeper-batsman Wridhimman Saha who plays for the Hyderabad-based franchise, tested positive for the deadly virus which has wrecked havoc in India.
Veteran spinner Amit Mishra, who is stationed with Delhi Capitals squad in Ahmedabad also tested positive earlier on Tuesday.
A suspension was on the card after Covid cases kept increasing despite the IPL bio-bubble. After two KKR players, Varun Chakravarty and Sandeep Warrier tested positive on Monday, CSK bowling coach L Balaji was also confirmed positive along with a team helper.
On Tuesday, as BCCI planned to move the entire tournament to Mumbai, it was revealed that Wriddhiman Saha of SRH and Amit Mishra of Delhi Capitals had also tested positive.
“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,” IPL said in its official statement.
There was a panic between Australian players, support staff and commentators involved in the IPL 2021 after their government suspended all direct flights from India in the wake of the surge in positive cases.
Also, with the final of World Test Championship in England from June 18, sending the teams and especially the players involved in the championship final in another hard quarantine would have been tough on the players. Rescheduling the matches and finding proper slots was going to be another big issue going forward in the tournament.
Also, with the final of World Test Championship in England from June 18, sending the teams and especially the players involved in the championship final in another hard quarantine would have been tough on the players. Rescheduling the matches and finding proper slots was going to be another big issue going forward in the tournament.
