IPL 2021: MCA Secretary Asserts That Mumbai Can Host All Its Matches Comfortably

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic affecting the IPL 2021’s preparations, Mumbai Cricket Association remains unfazed. A reasonable number of stakeholders have tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of IPL’s 14th season, including three players as well. But Mumbai Cricket Association’s Secretary Sanjay Naik asserted there are no plans to shift the city’s fixtures to some other venue.

The last 24 hours have seen eight groundsmen of the Wankhede Stadium testing positive, following which BCCI listed Hyderabad as one of the contingency venues. Furthermore, the likes of Nitish Rana, Devdutt Padikkal, and Axar Patel also contracted the deadly virus. While Nitish Rana returned with two negative COVID tests, the other two remain isolated and are likely to miss a few matches.

Sanjay Naik revealed that the BCCI have been testing the Wankhede Stadium’s groundsmen every second day and that the matches would occur in the bio-bubble along with empty stadiums. Naik stated confidently that Mumbai can host all its games comfortably and no plans exist to shift them elsewhere.

“The BCCI has been testing all the groundsmen at the Wankhede Stadium every second day. The matches will be held in a bio-bubble, in an empty stadium. I can assure you that Mumbai will stage all its matches comfortably, and there are no plans to shift them out of here,” Naik told Times of India.

The BCCI will test all our groundsmen on Monday ahead of IPL 2021: MCA Secretary

Sanjay Naik further said that the BCCI plans to test all the groundsmen on Monday and those returning COVID-19 positive have to stay home and get treatment. On the other hand, those testing negative would have to remian at the stadium and be part of the bio-bubble within that till the Mumbai’s IPL leg gets done.

“Right now, no one is at the Wankhede Stadium as it is shut on the weekend. The BCCI will test all our groundsmen on Monday. Those who test positive will be asked to stay home and get treated, while those testing negative will be asked to stay back at the stadium. They will then be a part of the bio-bubble at the stadium, which means they will stay at the stadium’s premises till the conclusion of the Mumbai leg of the IPL,” he added.

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