Despite the bio-bubble, the Vivo IPL 2021 was hit by the COVID storm starting with KKR’s Varun Chakravarthy and Sandeep Warrier. It was not very late when players and staff members from CSK, SRH and DC were found COVID positive as well. Former England skipper Michael Atherton finds it very complex for the BCCI to re-conduct the IPL in such a pre-occupied calendar.
Atherton also mentioned that the IPL not only includes Indian players but also some well known overseas cricketers as well. It will be very difficult to engage their participation in the current situation and with the upcoming international cricketing events ahead in the year.
“The IPL is obviously worth a lot of money to the global game I think it brings in a third of the game’s global revenue so people will be keen to see it staged, but the logistics are very tricky for the tournament now,” Atherton told Sky Sports.
The BCCI can face a loss of more than 2000 crores affecting the young and new players as well since the money received from the IPL could have brought a fortune in their future forever. However, the BCCI has promised to reschedule and continue the league once the pandemic situation is under control and the safety of the players is been assured. But, it will be challenging as there is an end number of international events lined ahead in the 2021 calendar.
“It is a logistical challenge. The IPL not only has a high number of domestic Indian players but players from all around the world,” Atherton added.
the IPL was firmly suspended just after Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Wridhaman Saha was tested positive before a match against the Mumbai Indians, along with Delhi Capital’s spinner Amit Mishra. The interim suspension’s decision was made calling an emergency meeting by the BCCI and IPL board. The news was confirmed by IPL chairman Brijesh Patel on Tuesday, May 04.