Amid all-round criticism, it has been decided to suspend the IPL seeing the growing threat of Coronavirus. For the last few days, Corona cases were reported in many players of IPL, after which the BCCI has taken this decision. Several cases of COVID-19 were found in a bio-safe environment (bio-bubble). Finally, on Tuesday, the world’s most popular T20 league was suspended indefinitely.
No new dates are confirmed
League chairman Brijesh Patel told PTI, “The tournament has been suspended indefinitely. We will try to organize this competition in the next possible time, but this month is not likely to happen.”
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BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla said, “We will see if we can get any suitable time for the IPL event later in the year.It may be September, but for now, it will only be speculation. The situation as of now is that we are not organizing the tournament.”
As of now, a total of 31 matches are remaining, including the final of the IPL. The final of this season was to be played in Ahmedabad on May 30. Earlier, it was also speculated that the remaining matches of the tournament would be held at the same venue in Mumbai, but there were problems related to the logistics.
Many players found COVID positive
Earlier on Monday, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) bowling coach L Balaji and Kolkata Knight Riders bowler Sandeep and Varun Chakraborty had positive corona reports. Two IPL matches were postponed earlier due to increasing infection.
Keeping players safe in Bio-Bubble was a futile attempt
Before starting the tournament the BCCI emphasized on strong ‘bio-bubble’ which was meant to keep players safe.Only 29 matches could be successfulunder the bubble. But the 30th match of the season could not be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
There was already susceptibility about the Mumbai-Sunrisers match to be held in Delhi, as Mumbai Indians played against CSK on Saturday and Balaji came in contact with many players during the match. And now Riddhiman Shah of Sunrisers and Amit Mishra of Delhi Capitals have also been found positive.
People were raising questions on the timing of IPL
Amid this grave pandemic, questions were being raised about the conduct of IPL. 3 of Australia’s players had already left IPL-14 citing increasing infection in India. These 3 players were Adam Zampa, Ken Richardson and Andrew Tye.