With the number of COVID-19 cases rising in India, there was a lot of talk about calling the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL 2021) off. But, BCCI president Sourav Ganguly has made it clear that the tournament will go on as scheduled.

“So far, it's going on as scheduled,” Ganguly told Sportstar on Monday (26 April).

Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin decided to take a break from the ongoing tournament to be with his family. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) players Kane Richardson and Adam Zampa have withdrawn from the tournament and decided to fly back to Australia.

Even Rajasthan Royals players Liam Livingston and Andrew Tye had also decided to not play IPL and have returned home.

Some sources in England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Cricket Australia (CA) said that they are not planning on calling their players back but they will do their best to help the players deciding to come back home.

“Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers' Association remain in regular contact with Australian players, coaches, and commentators taking part in the Indian Premier League, which is being conducted under strict bio-security protocols,” they said.

“We will continue to listen to feedback from those on the ground in India and the advice of the Australian Government. Our thoughts are with the people of India at this difficult time,” the statement added.

Currently, only Mumbai and Chennai were the only two venues being used but the action now moves to Delhi and Ahmedabad for the next leg of the tournament.

(With Sportstar inputs)