The 2021 edition of Indian Premier League (IPL) was postponed indefinitely on May 4 as COVID-19 breached the bio-bubble and infected a number of players and support staff members.
It all started after two players at Kolkata Knight Riders, Varun Chakravarthy and Sandeep Warrier, tested positive for COVID-19 and as a result, the match between KKR and Royal Challengers Bangalore couldn’t take place on May 3.
Furthermore, a couple of positive cases were detected in the Chennai Super Kings contingent, including bowling coach L Balaji while Delhi Capitals’ Amit Mishra and Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Wriddhiman Saha too contracted COVID-19.
Despite a number of cases in the bubble, all-rounder Vijay Shankar said SRH players were worried but did not panic at any stage.
"More than panic, it was just about being worried. A couple of guys tested positive, when someone tested positive in our team, it became a bit more," Shankar told India Today in an exclusive chat.
"Otherwise, we knew even the day they suspended the IPL, we were supposed to play a game. We were trying to prepare and keep ourselves motivated till we got the message, saying the IPL was suspended," he added.
Vijay Shankar acknowledged that bubble life is not easy but SRH players adapted well as a unit.
"First year, last time, when we faced this, it was a bit difficult. Bio-bubble life is a bit difficult but if you ask me as a professional, it's important for us to adapt to it and follow the protocols. As a team, you need to be together. Only then you can spend those 1 and half two months together. Otherwise, it will be difficult for every individual," he said.
"At the end of the day, we want to play cricket and entertain the people. In this situation, there were a lot of people who were looking up to the IPL every evening to sit and watch and forget about every other thing. A tournament like this was helping take the viewers' mind off Covid. It definitely was (a source of motivation), we were trying to give our best," he further remarked.
Sunrisers Hyderabad endured a tough IPL 2021 campaign, winning only 1 out of their 7 games to finish last on the points table.
After their sixth game, the franchise also sacked David Warner as a captain and handed over the leadership duties to Kane Williamson.
However, the development didn’t impact SRH’s dressing room environment.
"I think, overall, even till the last game, we were having a very good time together. Results, yeah, it does keep changing. As a team, we were very close and trying to give our best. If we had won a couple of close games we had, things would have been different. Otherwise, we were preparing well and gelling well as a team," Shankar said.
"Individually, there was nothing much to do for us. We got the message saying the captain has changed. If you ask me as a player, it doesn't matter who is leading, it's important for you to give your best whoever is your captain. Whatever the coach says, it's very important to follow that.
"I don't think the captaincy changes or even if there is some other change in the middle of the season, will play a lot in our minds, it's important to focus on our strengths," he added.
