After postponing IPL 2021 due to rising number of Covid-19 cases among players and support staff, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday said that it tried to bring in positivity and cheer but could not compromise on the safety of the people involved in the tournament.
As many as 4 players tested positive within 48 hours after Covid-19 breached IPL 2021 bio-bubble. CSK bowling coach L Balaji was also confirmed positive along with a team helper. Earlier on Monday, KKR players Varun Chakravarthy and Sandeep Warrier became the first two players to test positive in the IPL 2021 bubble as 30th league match of the season between KKR and RCB Ahmedabad was postponed.
SRH wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha returned a positive result hours before his team’s clash against Mumbai Indians (MI) on Tuesday. Delhi Capitals’ veteran spinner Amit Mishra has tested positive in Ahmedabad.
Several foreign cricketers, mostly from Australia have left the tournament midway and flew back home after news of their country planning to ban flights from India started doing the rounds. Later, Australia indeed banned all direct passenger flights from the country till May 15. More than two dozen Australians involved in the IPL 2021 are locked out of their country now.
“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,” the entire statement read.
