With the second COVID-19 wave wreaking havoc in the country, it was only a matter of time before the outbreak had this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL) in its grip.
The disappointing news of the postponement of IPL 2021 came on Tuesday (May 4) after multiple COVID-19 cases were reported in the bio-bubble of various franchises.
In an exclusive interview with news18.com, IPL chairman Brijesh Patel talked about the tough call to suspend the cash-rich event and the way forward.
“It’s always a tough decision to suspend a tournament like the IPL. But, four teams were involved and some players included. One player in Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and one support staff from Chennai Super Kings tested positive. It was not possible to reschedule the matches with four teams involved. Looking at the overall situation also in India, what we thought best was to suspend it and have the matches later,” Patel said.
The IPL 2021 season saw only 29 games being held in four venues – Mumbai, Chennai, Ahmedabad and Delhi.
Asked about the staging of remaining games, Brijesh replied: “The remaining 31 matches will be completed whenever we can. So, matches will resume from where we left this year. We have to look at a window, before the ICC T20 World Cup or after the World Cup (October-November 2021).”
Amidst the severe health crisis caused by the second COVID-19 in India, there were debates whether IPL 14 should go on or not.
When enquired if there was any pressure to suspend the league, the IPL GC chief said: “There was no pressure on BCCI to suspend IPL. The public opinion was such that those watching IPL and asking them what about it, everyone was saying ‘it was very good for us. The whole day, 24×7 we are only watching all Covid-related news and developments. At least for these three-four hours, there is some entertainment through IPL. Anyway, you have asked us to stay at home. At least these three-four hours, people get their minds diverted. Also, the main important thing is that we are not super spreaders. It is not like we were having melas and rallies. IPL is not a super spreader of the virus.”
Bio-bubble is considered as the safest possible place to avoid the deadly Coronavirus. But still some players such as Varun Chakravarthy, Sandeep Warrier (both KKR), L Balaji (CSK), Wriddhiman Saha (SRH) and Amit Mishra (DC) contracted COVID-19
Speaking on the same line, Patel said: “I don’t know. Earlier, during Covid-I, it was said that if you don’t maintain social distance or not wear a mask, the virus would spread. If you maintained social distancing, that was ok. But now, Covid-II is spreading through the air. We don’t know how these boys have got it. Otherwise, the bubble is pretty good and safe. We will look into it as to how they got it.”
Brijesh Patel stated that BCCI will extend its help to ensure smooth return of all the players.
“We will see what needs to be done. Whatever help is required from the BCCI, we will extend.”
