IPL 2021: Keeping In Mind All The Precautions, The Tournament Will Go On Without Any Problem, Says Rajeev Shukla

Amid the concerns regarding the COVID-19 cases’ surge around India, BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla has shown optimism towards IPL 2021. The second wave of the virus outbreak in India has started cutting through the IPL as several stakeholders have fallen prey. But Rajeev Shukla asserts that the competition will go ahead without any issue.

The last 24 hours has proved torrid for the preparations of the 14th edition of the marquee T20 league. Apart from the eight groundsmen of the Wankhede Stadium testing positive for COVID-19, Axar Patel and Devdutt Padikkal became victims of the deadly virus. While Kolkata Knight Riders’ Nitish Rana also tested positive earlier, he has recovered from the infection and declared fit for training.

Rajeev Shukla expressed concerns about the rising COVID-19 cases; however, he assured that BCCI has taken all the precautions by keeping only six venues, creating bio-secure bubbles, and increasing the number of squad members. Shukla remains confident that with all the arrangements made by the BCCI, the competition should go ahead smoothly.

“That’s the concern that the coronavirus cases are rising. That’s why BCCI has already taken all the precautions. That’s why only six venues have been kept and bio-bubble has been created. The number of members in the squad has also been increased, keeping in mind that in future if the coronavirus cases rise, then all the precautions can be taken. So, keeping in mind all the precautions, the tournament will go on without any problem,” Shukla said as quoted by Times of India.

So far, no decision has been taken to shift the Mumbai venue: Rajeev Shukla

Rajeev Shukla continued stating that the BCCI has not considered shifting the matches to other venues; however, he said that there back-ups in Lucknow, Hyderabad, and Indore. The 61-year old conceded that if in case of emergencies, they would contemplate, but the competition will go as scheduled for now.

“So far, no decision has been taken to shift the Mumbai venue. It will take place in Mumbai because all the arrangements have been done. In the future, as you know there are standby venues also if there is any problem then we will think, but currently, there is no such decision which has been taken. The first stand-by stadium is in Lucknow, then Hyderabad and Indore are there and some others also. Nothing has been decided and it will take place as per the earlier decision,” he added.

Also Read: IPL 2021: Aakash Chopra Predicts His Top-5 Overseas Performers Ahead Of The 14th Season