BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla Confirms IPL 2021 Suspended

BCCI Vice-President, Rajeev Shukla, has confirmed that this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL 2021) has been suspended after a flurry of COVID-19 cases hit the tournament. Until now, IPL 2021 was well on its track and no such mishaps had occurred in the league at the halfway stage.

However, on Monday, things turned from bad to worse as a couple of players from Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) had tested positive for COVID-19 as they left the bio-bubble. Later, CSK bowling coach, Laxmipathy Balaji, and a bus cleaner were also tested positive for COVID-19. This led to the suspension of match 30 between KKR and RCB.

IPL 2021 Suspended Confirms BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla

The match that was scheduled to take place between SunRisers Hyderabad and Mumbai Indians on May 04 was on track. But, Wirddhiman Saha, the wicketkeeper-batsman from SRH, tested positive for COVID-19 and the entire SRH team went into isolation and the match got postponed for the time being.

Later, Delhi Capitals’ veteran, Amit Mishra also tested positive for COVID-19 and this came as a massive blow to the BCCI as it had to suspend the IPL officially. BCCI, Vice-President, Rajeev Shukla confirmed to ANI that IPL 2021 has officially been suspended and any call on the tournament’s resumption will now be taken at a later stage.

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.