IPL 2021 has been suspended not cancelled, few players wanted to leave India: Rajeev Shukla

BCCI postponed the 2021 edition of Indian Premier League with immediate effect.

The IPL 2021 season saw only 29 games being held in four venues | BCCI/IPLThe Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday (May 4) decided to postpone the 2021 edition of Indian Premier League (IPL) with immediate effect.

The decision came after multiple COVID-19 cases were reported in the bio-secure bubble of various franchises.

Amidst the development, BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla clarified that IPL 14 has been suspended and not called off completely.

See Also: ‘We have to look at a window before or after T20 World Cup’, Brijesh Patel on remaining IPL games

Shukla also made it clear that the remaining games of this year’s IPL will take place in due course.

"We are looking after our players, franchises are also looking after their players. We have spoken to each and every franchise, so not many cases are there. One or two franchises are affected so far and there are regular tests being conducted. Barring these few players all the other players are negative. The situation is not that bad but we took the decision keeping the future in mind, if something happens. We have taken decision with that prospect,” Rajeev Shukla told Star Sports.

"I want to make it clear that IPL 2021 has been not cancelled. It has been suspended, it has been postponed, it has been deferred, so it will happen. The remaining part of this year's IPL will happen. But in due course, when the covid situation improves, a decision will be taken about it,” he added.

Shukla further said that some of the foreign players were panicking and wanted to leave India considering the COVID-19 crisis in the country.

"We are looking after our players, franchises are also looking after their players. We have spoken to each and every franchise, so not many cases are there. One or two franchises are affected so far and there are regular tests being conducted. Barring these few players all the other players are negative. The situation is not that bad but we took the decision keeping the future in mind, if something happens. We have taken decision with that prospect.

"I want to make it clear that IPL 2021 has been not cancelled. It has been suspended, it has been postponed, it has been deferred, so it will happen. The remaining part of this year's IPL will happen. But in due course, when the covid situation improves, a decision will be taken about it.

"They are scared, situation in India is bad. Few players wanted to leave the country. They had spoken to their franchisees and the franchisees also confided with us. But not many players were willing to leave the country. But keeping that in mind, and obviously, there is a panic-like situation, if people are scared, we have to look at that aspect also and we have to take steps accordingly. So, that's why keeping their concerns in mind, their families' concerns in mind, we have taken this decision," he remarked.

Rajeev Shukla also disclosed that the decision to cancel the tournament was taken after a video conference between senior BCCI officials, including president Sourav Ganguly and secretary Jay Shah.

"BCCI presdent Sourav Ganguly, secretary Jay Shah, Governing Council, all office bearers did a video conference and took the call. Prior to that we have talked to all the franchise and broadcasters. Ot was a unanimous decision," he said.

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 05 May, 2021

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