IPL trophy
IPL Trophy (Twitter)

The 15-day curfew in Maharashtra, from 8 PM on April 14 to 7 AM, May 1, won’t be affecting the IPL 2021 matches to be played at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, on Tuesday, announced a statewide curfew to decrease the surge of covid-19 cases in the state.

The Maharashtra government imposed section  144 – prohibiting the gathering of more than 4 people – and allowing only essential services. Thackeray didn’t term it as a “lockdown” as some transport services will be available; also marriages with 25 people and funerals are allowed with not more than 20 people in attendance.

Wankhede Stadium
Wankhede Stadium. (Credits: Twitter)

“We are imposing strict restrictions which will come into effect from 8 pm tomorrow. Section 144 to be imposed in the entire state from tomorrow. I will not term this as lockdown,” said Uddhav Thackeray.

“Local train and bus services for essential services only, petrol pumps, financial institutions associated with SEBI and construction work to continue, hotel/restaurants to remain closed only take-away, home deliveries allowed,” he added.

IPL matches at Wankhede to go as scheduled as the board has “special permission”

However, the IPL 2021 in Mumbai, where already no crowds were allowed, will continue as scheduled as they have been given “special permission” from the onset of the tournament.

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A source in the know of developments in the IPL organizing committee spoke to PTI regarding the same and confirmed that the 14th edition of the IPL will be unaffected by the curfew in Maharashtra.

“No effect on Mumbai matches as we have special permission, everything will go ahead as planned and we will take all necessary precautions,” the source told ANI.

Sanju Samson
Sanju Samson (Image Credit: Twitter)

Of the 10 matches, Wankhede is scheduled to host from April 10 to 25, 2 have been completed. The Delhi Capitals thrashed the Chennai Super Kings on Saturday as Prithvi Shaw blitzkrieg blew away MS Dhoni’s side. On Monday, the tournament witnessed its first high-scoring thriller as Sanju Samson, Rajasthan Royals’ newly-appointed skipper, almost stole the game from the Punjab Kings, felling short on the last ball.

The Royals, who are further depleted by the loss of Ben Stokes owing to a finger injury after losing Jofra Archer for the first phase of the tournament, will take on Delhi Capitals on Thursday in what is expected to be another high-scoring encounter.

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