BCCI is mulling to shift the remaining matches of IPL 2021 to Mumbai due to the Covid-19 fear. This comes after Covid-19 affected the IPL 2021 match on Monday. The Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bangalore match on Monday was postponed and rescheduled after two KKR players were tested positive for Covid-19.
Since Delhi Capitals played against Kolkata Knight Riders in their previous match, their players have also been asked to go under quarantine. Moreover, three staff members of Chennai Super Kings including bowling coach Laxmipathy Balaji were tested positive for Covid-19.
As a result, CSK players will undergo a 6-day quarantine period. As a result, Chennai Super Kings vs Rajasthan Royals match on May 5 might also get postponed.
BCCI Might Shift IPL 2021 Matches To Mumbai
Now, reports are doing the rounds that BCCI is considering shifting the rest of the IPL 2021 matches to Mumbai. According to BCCI’s plan for IPL 2021, there were 6 venues to host all the matches. Mumbai and Chennai were selected as venues for the first leg. For the 2nd leg, Delhi and Ahmadabad were selected. In the third led, matches were going to be held in Kolkata and Bengaluru. The playoffs and final were scheduled to be played in Ahmedabad.
BCCI was able to conduct matches successfully during the first leg in Mumbai and Chennai. However, issues have arisen due to Covid-19 during the ongoing 2nd leg. As a result, BCCI might shift the remainder of the IPL 2021 to Mumbai. However, no official announcement has been made by BCCI in the matter so far.
Mumbai might start hosting IPL 2021 matches from the coming weekend itself. As a result, there will change in IPL 2021 schedule and more double-headers will be played. The IPL 2021 final might also shift to early June from May 30.
During the first leg, Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium hosted 10 matches of IPL 2021. Wankhede, Brabourne, and DY Patil grounds of Mumbai were used for training purposes.
Reports are also rife that BCCI on Monday called several hotels in Mumbai to verify if they can manage to provide the facilities required for the bio-bubble of the eight teams. If the IPL final is shifted to June from May 30, it will also affect forthcoming India vs New Zealand final of the ICC World Test Championship. The Test match is scheduled to start on June 18, 2021, in England.