Amid the raging second COVID-19 wave in India, the IPL 2021 might have been postponed but Cricket South Africa (CSA) Director Graeme Smith on Thursday (May 6) said none of the Proteas players, who featured in the cash-rich event, felt at risk as the BCCI created a sound Bio-Secure Environment (BSE).
BCCI’s decision to postpone the T20 league came on Tuesday (May 4) after multiple COVID-19 cases were reported in the bio-bubble of various franchises.
The 11 South African cricketers, who took part in the competition, have already left for Johannesburg.
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"In no way would we judge. Having spoken to the players, they felt safe. They felt the BSE (Bio-Secure Environment) was a really good experience in India. They never felt at risk. But that's the nature of what COVID brings," Smith said during a news conference.
India is reporting over 4 lakh COVID-19 cases and close to 4000 deaths for the last few days and the health infrastructure is struggling to cope with the crisis.
Smith acknowledged the element of risk amid the unprecedented crisis and refrained from blaming the organisers.
"Sometimes you can do whatever you want but the BSE - as we've said to everyone - is never fool-proof. When COVID is raging in your country there's always a risk. Unfortunately once it gets inside it's very difficult to predict what's going to happen."
Smith also praised the BCCI for ensuring the safe departure of all the South African players, who would be back home by Friday and undergo a period of isolation.
"The duty of care (the BCCI has) shown in getting everyone home has been exemplary.
"From our own players' perspective it's been made slightly easier in that our borders aren't closed and there's still commercial travel available for them."
South Africa was reporting far fewer cases than India when Australia had pulled out of the tour, citing “unacceptable” risk to the touring party.
Pointing out the double standards of Australian cricketers, Smith said: "You see some of those players sitting there at the IPL and not making any noise. Having had experience of things here you do see some things differently, and (you see) a version of double standards. It's disappointing."
Graeme Smith stated that CSA created some 16 bio-bubbles during the past year but wasn't given enough credit.
"I think CSA have put on 15 or 16 BSEs this season, and I don't think enough has been made of the success that we've had," he said.
(With PTI inputs)
