IPL 14 will be played behind the closed doors.
Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Sourav Ganguly while talking about challenges they are facing while hosting the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 amid the second COVID-19 wave in India, lauded cricketers participating in tournament for having the patience to live in bio-bubbles.
After being held in UAE last year due to COVID-19 threat, IPL marks its return back in India for the 14th edition.
However, with India witnessing a second wave of coronavirus and four players, who are part of IPL 2021, being tested positive for COVID-19, it has been very difficult for BCCI to organise the marquee tournament.
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While addressing the same, BCCI president Sourav Ganguly said that it’s challenging to host IPL during the tough times of COVID-19 and he hopes that everything goes well.
"It is quite challenging during COVID to host the IPL in terms of cost and return. The last time the tournament was held in UAE, it was quite challenging. We didn't know so much then. The bio-bubble will be here as well, as it was in UAE. Hope all goes well," Sourav Ganguly told India Today.
Ganguly lauded cricketers involved in IPL 2021 and thanked all the players on behalf of BCCI for the great work they are doing besides playing cricket.
"I have said before that the cricketers are remarkable. They have been in the bio-bubble for so long. Hats off to the cricketers. What they are doing is not easy. Staying the same way for so long. Quite stressful. On behalf of the BCCI, I would like to thank the cricketers. They are doing great work besides playing cricket," he said.
Sourav Ganguly further said that BCCI is taking all the possible steps to ensure the safety of all the players, support staff and officials who are working day and night to try and make IPL 2021 a success.
"Since the emergency, since all the atrocities were going on it became quite difficult. However, we have taken the best medical advice. We talked to the doctors. We also did domestic cricket by creating bio bubbles. There was no corona case. I hope everything will be fine here for the next two months. That's what I'm hoping for. Fingers crossed," he concluded.
(India Today inputs)