BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla says, “remainder of the IPL will happen but in due course”
IPL 2021 has been postponed, following a number of constructive Covid-19 instances throughout franchises over the previous couple of days. There is not any official phrase but on when or whether or not the rest of the match will probably be staged, although BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla was emphatic it “will happen” and a choice can be taken when the pandemic scenario improved.
In a press release, the IPL mentioned the choice was “unanimously” taken by the match’s Governing Council and the BCCI. “The BCCI does not want to compromise on the safety of the players, support staff and the other participants involved in organising the IPL,” the assertion mentioned. “This decision was taken keeping the safety, health and wellbeing of all the stakeholders in mind.
“These are troublesome occasions, particularly in India, and whereas now we have tried to herald some positivity and cheer, nevertheless, it’s crucial that the match is now suspended and everybody goes again to their households and family members in these making an attempt occasions.”
The statement also said the BCCI would do “do every part in its powers to rearrange for the safe and secure passage of all of the contributors in IPL 2021”.
Shukla, speaking to Star Sports, hinted at the decision-making process. “Obviously the presently scenario in India is fairly unhealthy, all people is scared, so even they [foreign players] is perhaps scared. A couple of gamers spoke to their franchises about wanting to go away the nation, the franchises additionally confided in us. Not many gamers have been prepared to go away the nation, however clearly there’s a panic-like scenario, and if individuals are scared, we have to take a look at that side and take steps accordingly. So taking the gamers’ considerations, their households’ considerations in thoughts, now we have taken this determination.”
Though the statement itself was unclear on the tournament resuming, Shukla’s comments suggested that it would at some point. “One factor I need to make very clear, it has not been cancelled – it has been suspended, it has been postponed, it has been deferred. So it’ll occur. The the rest of the IPL will occur however sooner or later, when the Covid scenario improves, a choice will probably be taken.”
The immediate cause
Balaji’s case, in particular, raised concerns among the other franchises as he was in the team’s dugout on May 1 during the match against the Mumbai Indians. Earlier on Tuesday, it was confirmed that the Super Kings had gone into isolation for a week. The Saha news soon followed, before the tournament’s postponement was announced.
What happens to the overseas players now?
The two Bangladeshi players, Shakib Al Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman, will have to undergo 14-day quarantine once they are back home, according to the country’s health authority, which refused the BCB’s request for a shorter isolation period. They are expected to return home in a chartered flight in a couple of days. They were both named in Bangladesh’s preliminary squad for the ODI home series against Sri Lanka, which is likely to start on May 23. The BCB will be hoping that the pair arrives in the next couple of days so that they have a few days of training, after the 14-day quarantine, before the first ODI in Dhaka.
The ECB said it was in “shut contact with our gamers and workers in India as preparations are put in place for them to return dwelling safely”.
Cricket South Africa said those travelling back to South Africa would undergo home quarantine “consistent with the present World Health Organization suggestions”.
New Zealand recently lifted its travel ban for India but there are limited flights between the two countries, and the New Zealand players will have to undergo a 14-day quarantine whenever they get home. NZC issued a statement saying it was liaising with different authorities to find a solution.
The broader pandemic backdrop
The rising numbers – around 400,000 new positive cases daily over the past few days – prompted several countries to ban travellers from India. The Australian government even imposed a ban on its own citizens returning from India until May 15 and said any transgression would be deemed a criminal offence.
Nagraj Gollapudi is information editor at ESPNcricinfo
