Former India women's team captain and commentator Anjum Chopra has opened up about the bio-bubble breach that led to the postponement of IPL 2021 indefinitely amid the devastating second wave of COVID-19 pandemic across the country.
Chopra, who was also part of the broadcasters’ bio-bubble in New Delhi, insisted that the bio-bubble arrangement made by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for the IPL 2021 was safe and satisfying as the event was postponed after the Coronavirus outbreak inside the bio-secure bubble.
The former women cricketer also stressed the protocols were being followed to a tee by each and all involved in the IPL 14 while claiming there was minimum contact with players even for broadcasters who were on commentary duties during the tournament.
Given the COVID-19 crisis in India, she said everyone including cricketers, commentators, and broadcasters involved in the IPL 14 were aware of the challenges they would be facing, but still, they made a conscious effort to bring smiles to people who were able to watch the action live on television.
Chopra told India Today: “There was no anxiety as such. It's not what's happening in a team bubble that leads to anxiety. Players reside in their own bubble. But yes, there were concerns. As individuals, we were pretty much aware and conscious of what's happening around and we were following all the precautions. There is no doubt that it was a good, safe bubble.”
She further added, “Something has happened, I am sure they will get to know how it happened. For us, we were told which areas we were told what to do and what not to do, where to go and where not to go. We, as individuals, are all in this together. It's a time when no one is having it easy.”
On the COVID-19 outbreak inside IPL bio-bubble, Chopra mentioned: “The virus has probably touched every household in the country. But that's the stage that we are in at the moment. What I try to do is, just try to hold on, that's the only thing I can do. It's not easy, it's very tough. As cricketers and broadcasters, we are not oblivious to what's happening. We have not had it easy right from the time we left our houses. No one has had it easy.”
The commentator further said of their life in bio-bubble: “It's not that we have had a luxurious time in the bio-bubble. We respect the fact that all this work comes at a cost and that cost is to be away from our family. We are trying to work to the best of our abilities and try to put a smile on the faces of people watching us and that has been a very conscious effort from all of us.”
Many have been questioned the BCCI's decision to host IPL 2021 in multiple cities instead of one or 2 to minimize travel at a time when the country has been badly hit by deadly Coronavirus, but Chopra insisted that the BCCI would not have taken the call in isolation.
She further opined, “Now, all these discussions will come, which is absolutely fair. Something has to go wrong for other discussions to start. Not doing it in one city and having it 6 cities and then having it parallelly running in two cities at the same time, I am sure a lot of thought would have gone into it.”
Chopra further noted, “Whether it turned out to be the right decision or the wrong decision that is all in hindsight but these decisions are never taken in isolation. I am sure everyone got into the huddle, they decided it. So, maybe as time progresses, they will realize how to tighten up those loopholes and strengthen it further.”
The former India captain has also insisted that everyone would learn from the IPL 2021’s suspension and will soon get to know how it spread in the bio-bubble that will be helpful in the future.
Anjum added, “It's a learning curve for all of us. We are not sure how this infection is spreading and what is the remedy for it. It's been more than 12 months. Even after getting vaccinated, some people are getting the virus. So for a sports body to come out and say. I am sure everyone is learning.”
She signed off by saying, “This is for the first time the BCCI is hosting so many teams and so many games. They hosted England. Nothing went on through the series. That series went on for nearly two months. We didn't hear of any untoward incident happening there. It's not that they have not done it.”
(With India Today Inputs)
