The ongoing 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been postponed indefinitely in the midst of rising COVID cases within the bio-secure bubble. Two players from Kolkata Knight Riders – Varun Chakravarthy and Sachin Warrier – were tested positive for the first time on Monday (May 03). On the same day, three members of the CSK camp were tested positive – CEO, Bowling coach and the other from the service staff.
With two cases in the KKR camp, the game between KKR and RCB which was scheduled to be played on Monday was postponed as KKR went into a hard quarantine. The match between CSK and RR which was scheduled to be played on Wednesday (May 05) has also been suspended. However, the game between MI and SRH which is to be played on Tuesday (May 04) night was much on track as there were no cases reported within these two franchises.
Earlier on Tuesday (May 04), two more positive cases were identified – one in the SRH camp and the other in the DC camp. Wicket-keeper Wriddhiman Saha from SRH and Amit Mishra from DC were tested positive for the virus. With cases rising inside the bio bubble, BCCI had an emergency meeting on Tuesday afternoon and the inevitable decision to suspend the tournament with immediate effect has been made.
“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 organizing the IPL. This decision was taken keeping the safety, health and wellbeing of all the stakeholders in mind,” stated the IPL media release.
“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,” added the release.
“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 their best to organize IPL 2021 even in these extremely difficult times,” concluded the BCCI media release.
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