Former Australia captain Ian Chappell shared his opinions about the recent suspension of the IPL 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on the upcoming T20 World Cup 2021 to be hosted in India.
IPL 2021 season was suspended indefinitely due to the rising number of Covid-19 cases. A number of players tested positive within the bio-bubble and as a result, the tournament had to be postponed.
"The suspension of the 2021 IPL tournament because of surging Covid infections and deaths among the public, and a number of participants testing positive, was a reminder of the game's vulnerability," Chappell wrote in his column for ESPNCricinfo.
"In the past, tours have been aborted and matches abandoned for a variety of reasons. Many of these involved back stories, some of which were tragic and others amusing," he added.
Furthermore, Chappell added that with the IPL 2021 being suspended, it may set a precedent and may result in India losing the hosting rights of the T20 World Cup 2021 which is to be played in the country in October-November.
"In the current disastrous climate, the suspension of the IPL could also produce a precedent. It may lead to the World T20 event, programmed for India later in the year, either being postponed or moved," said Chappell.
The ICC and BCCI are both hopeful of hosting the T20 World Cup in India given there is time for the tournament. But for safety reasons, UAE has been chosen as the backup venue for the ICC event, in case the COVID-19 surge in India doesn’t subside by then.
(ANI inputs)
