Around four players tested positive for COVID-19 by Tuesday, IPL 2021 has been suspended for the time being confirmed BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla.
The news comes right after Delhi Capitals’ Amit Mishra and Sunrisers Hyderbad’s Wriddhiman Saha tested COVID-19 positive. While Wriddhiman has been in isolation since yesterday after testing positive, Mishra tested positive today while Capitals have been in hard quarantine.
Earlier on Monday, KKR players Varun Chakravarthy and Sandeep Warrier became the first players to test positive inside the bio-bubble; forcing Monday’s match against Royal Challengers Bangalore being called off. Soon after CSK’s bowling coach Lakshmipathy Balaji and CEO K Viswanathan also returned the same.
After this Chennai Super Kings were prompted to inform the Indian cricket board (BBCI) that they are not willing to play their next match against Rajasthan Royals, scheduled in New Delhi on Wednesday as per BCCI’s SOP.http://
UPDATE: The Indian Premier League Governing Council (IPL GC) and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in an emergency meeting has unanimously decided to postpone IPL 2021 season with immediate effect.
Details – https://t.co/OgYXPj9FQy pic.twitter.com/lYmjBId8gL
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 4, 2021
UPDATE: The Indian Premier League Governing Council (IPL GC) and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in an emergency meeting has unanimously decided to postpone IPL 2021 season with immediate effect.
Details – https://t.co/OgYXPj9FQy pic.twitter.com/lYmjBId8gL
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 4, 2021
BCCI Does Not Want To Compromise On The Safety
“The Indian Premier League Governing Council (IPL GC) and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in an emergency meeting has unanimously decided to postpone IPL 2021 season, with immediate effect,” an official statement read.
“The BCCI does not want to compromise on the safety of the players, support staff, and the other participants involved in organizing the IPL. This decision was taken keeping the safety, health, and wellbeing of all the stakeholders in mind,” the statement further read.
“These are difficult times, especially in India and while we have tried to bring in some positivity and cheer, however, it is imperative that the tournament is now suspended and everyone goes back to their families and loved ones in these trying times.”
“The BCCI will do everything in its powers to arrange for the secure and safe passage of all the participants in IPL 2021.”
“The BCCI would like to thank all the healthcare workers, state associations, players, support staff, franchisees, sponsors, partners, and all the service providers who have tried to their best to organize IPL 2021 even in these extremely difficult times,” IPL said in its official statement.