Highlights:
- The BCCI’s decision came after many players from various teams had tested positive for COVID-19 in recent days.
- The Board stated that it does not want to jeopardise the safety of the players, support staff, or other tournament participants.
- Covid-19 has been identified in members of three franchises, including the Kolkata Knight Riders.
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After several players tested positive for COVID-19, the BCCI announced on Tuesday that the IPL 2021 would be postponed. “In an emergency meeting, the Indian Premier League Governing Council (IPL GC) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) unanimously decided to postpone the IPL 2021 season, with immediate effect,” the BCCI said. “The BCCI does not want to jeopardise the players’, support staff’s, and other IPL participants’ safety. The safety, health, and well-being of all stakeholders is taken into consideration when making this decision.”
The Covid-19 virus has been identified in two Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) teams, Varun Chakravarthy and Sandeep Warrier, as well as a Chennai Super Kings CEO Kasi Viswanathan, bowling coach Lakshmipathy Balaji, and a CSK bus cleaner from the team. The CSK team has been put in isolation as per IPL protocol.
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.
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 4, 2021
Details – https://t.co/OgYXPj9FQy pic.twitter.com/lYmjBId8gL
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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said in a statement, “These are difficult times, particularly in India, and while we have tried to bring some positivity and cheer, it is important that the tournament is now suspended and everyone returns to their families and loved ones.”
The statement further said, “The BCCI will do everything possible to ensure the safe and secure passage of all IPL 2021 participants.”
The BCCI also thanked people associated with the campaign and said, “The BCCI wishes to express its gratitude to all healthcare workers, state associations, players, support staff, franchises, sponsors, partners, and all service providers who have worked tirelessly to make IPL 2021 a success, despite the difficult times.”
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This season, 29 of the 56 scheduled league games were played, with the last match taking place on May 2 between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals.
COVID-19 cases in the KKR camp forced the match between KKR and Royal Challengers Bangalore to be postponed on Monday.
Since the existing bio-bubbles in Ahmedabad and New Delhi are both affected, the BCCI is reportedly considering moving the remainder of the campaign to Mumbai by the upcoming weekend.