IPL suspended as more players contract COVID-19 ⁠— BCCI bites the bullet mid-way through the season

• IPL 2021 has been suspended indefinitely after 4 players tested positive, in addition to three members of the CSK contingent.
• KKR and CSK have gone into a hard quarantine as a result.
• So far, KKR’s Varun Chakravarthy and Sandeep Warrier, DC’s Amit Mishra and now, SRH’s Wriddhiman Saha have tested positive.

The ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 has been suspended as several players have tested COVID positive. The decision to suspend IPL 2021 came in after Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) player Wriddhiman Saha tested positive earlier on Tuesday.

“The Indian Premier League Governing Council (IPL GC) and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in an emergency meeting has unanimously decided to postpone IPL 2021 season, with immediate effect,” said IPL in a statement.

“These are difficult times, especially in India and while we have tried to bring in some positivity and cheer, however, it is imperative that the tournament is now suspended and everyone goes back to their families and loved ones in these trying times,” it further added.

Over the last two days, several players from three IPL teams have tested COVID positive. This includes Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) Varun Chakravarthy and Sandeep Warrier, Delhi Capitals’ (DC) Amit Mishra and now, SRH’s Wriddhiman Saha.

In addition to these players, three members in Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) contingent have also tested positive. Even though these are not cricketers, the entire CSK team has gone into a hard quarantine.

KKR, too, has gone into a hard quarantine for six days.

Australian players left stranded in India – cannot return home right now

While some Australian players have already pulled out of this year’s IPL, all of them, except Andrew Tye, have been left stranded in India.

As of now, 14 Australian players and coaches are in India to participate in the tournament. So far, three players have pulled out -- Adam Zampa and Kane Richardson from Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Andrew Tye from Rajasthan Royals (RR).

Tye reached Australia before the country’s government decided to ban anyone returning from India.

Earlier, a PTI report stated that BCCI promised safe return for foreign players. “The BCCI will do everything to ensure that you reach your respective destinations seamlessly,” said BCCI’s Chief Operating Officer Hemang Amin in a letter to players.

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