IPL 2021: Did Not Want To Compromise With The Lives Of The Stakeholders Involved, Says Jay Shah

Amid the suspension of IPL 2021 indefinitely with immediate effect, BCCI secretary Jay Shah has addressed the move taken by the association in consultation with the governing council. Hours before the clash between SunRisers Hyderabad and Mumbai Indians, the former team’s Wriddhiman Saha tested positive for COVID-19. Jay Shah conceded they did not want to put the stakeholders’ lives at risk, prompting them to call it off.

Apart from SunRisers Hyderabad’s Wriddhiman Saha, Delhi Capitals’ veteran spinner Amit Mishra had also tested positive for COVID-19. The crisis started taking shape on Monday when Kolkata Knight Riders announced that Varun Chakravarthy and Sandeep Warrier tested positive for the deadly virus. It sent shockwaves throughout IPL, resulting in Kolkata’s match against the Royal Challengers Bangalore getting postponed eventually.

Furthermore, Chennai Super Kings’ bowling coach Laxmipathy Balaji and another staff member contracted the disease. With CSK’s encounter against Rajasthan Royals on the 5th of May also likely to have postponed, things got messier. The BCCI had no choice but to call off the competition indefinitely. It remains unlikely that the Indian cricket board would organize the tournament later this year as the sub-continent nation is also set to host the T20 World Cup.

The BCCI and IPL GC have unanimously decided to postpone the 2021 season: Jay Shah

Jay Shah said that BCCI and IPL’s governing council collectively decided to postpone the 2021 edition until further notice. Jay Shah noted that they could not compromise with the safety of players involved, employees, groundstaff, and various other stakeholders.

“The BCCI and IPL GC have unanimously decided to postpone the 2021 season till further notice. We don’t wish to compromise the safety of the players, the people involved, the employees, the groundsmen, the match officials, and every single person involved,” Shah said as quoted by Times of India.

Also Read: BCCI To Arrange Safe Passage For Players As IPL 2021 Gets Suspended Indefinitely