Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

Indian Premier League continues despite massive rise in COVID deaths

Indian Premier League continues despite massive rise in COVID deaths
April 30, 2021

The Indian Premier League, usually the most-attended cricket league in the world, is continuing to be played in empty stadia despite the massive surge in COVID-19 cases and deaths across the subcontinent.

While media reports show crematoriums struggling to deal with the demand of bodies coming their way as a result of Coronavirus deaths, Indian Premier League (IPL) matches continue.

Now in its 14th year, the cricket world’s richest tournament has continued, with journalist Anand Vasu advising that “the justification for the competition continuing (is) that the tournament would provide succour to those who are forced to stay indoors in the evening, on the back of varying degrees of lockdowns implemented in the country.”

With its 2020 season having been delayed and eventually being played in the United Arab Emirates - again without fans - the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has continued with this year’s competition with minimal schedule changes, mindful that the country is scheduled to stage the men’s Twenty20 World Cup in October and November this year.

While being broadcast, Indian Police guard barricaded gates around grounds to prevent fans getting close to venues while IPL players are being moved around India’s cities in full PPE hazard suits with face masks.

They are now tested every two days and cannot even order food from outside their ‘bio-bubble’ hotels.

While the BBCI India has assured the players that they are "totally safe" three Australians left the IPL earlier this week. With other oversees players who remain described as being “nervous”, on Tuesday the IPL reassured foreign stars in the tournament that they are “totally safe”.

In an email sent to players and coaches, BCCI acting Chief Executive, Hemang Amin advised “we understand that there are (a) few apprehensions and concerns regarding the general situation in India and the withdrawals of certain cricketers.

“We completely respect the decision taken by the players and extend our support to them in every way.

“At the same time, we would also assure you that you are totally safe within the bubble.”

With the IPL’s ‘bio-bubbles’ to remain tightly sealed around the players for the rest of the tournament which ends on 30th May, IPL broadcasts also include public service messages about wearing masks and maintaining social distancing.

Image: An empty MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, one of six venues being used for the 2021 IPL.

About the author

Nigel Benton

Co-founder/Publisher, Australasian Leisure Management

Nigel Benton is the co-founder and Publisher of Australasian Leisure Management, Australia and New Zealand’s only magazine for professionals in all areas of the leisure industry. Having established the magazine in 1997, shortly after his relocation to Australia, he has managed its readership rising to over 11,500 and its acceptance as the industry journal for professionals in aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues.

In 2020, he launched the new Asian Leisure Business website.

Among a range of published works and features, his comments on a Blog (blogspot) from 2007 to 2011, when this website went live in its current form, may be interesting to reflect back on.

Click here to connect with him via LinkedIn.

Read more from this author

Related Articles

9th April 2021 - ICC to proceed with Men’s Twenty20 World Cup in India

26th March 2021 - Stand collapse at Indian stadium injures more than 100 people

9th March 2021 - Indian Premier League to return to the subcontinent in 2021

24th February 2021 - Indian stadium confirmed as world’s largest capacity cricket venue

8th December 2020 - IAAPI urges India’s state governments to reopen amusement parks and release industry stimulus packages

10th August 2020 - Indian Premier League drops China’s Vivo as naming right sponsor

7th August 2020 - ICC shifts Australian hosting of Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 while India keeps 2021 edition

6th August 2020 - World Health Organization says large crowds for sporting events are unrealistic this year

21st July 2020 - BCCI looks to stage rescheduled 2020 Indian Premier League in the UAE

4th May 2020 - Indian sport looks to 2032 Olympic Games hosting

16th April 2020 - Extended Indian Coronavirus restrictions sees IPL indefinitely postponed

11th April 2020 - India bids to host 2027 Asian Cup

9th April 2020 - Coronavirus pandemic halts Pakistani cricket

7th April 2020 - Coronavirus shutdown set to see cancellation of 2020 Indian Premier League

19th February 2020 - Home of India’s former F1 race closed over debts

12th February 2020 - US President Trump to attend inauguration of world’s largest cricket stadium during upcoming Indian visit

8th January 2019 - Development advances on world’s largest cricket stadium

27th November 2012 - BCCI doubles value of Indian Premier League sponsorship with Pepsi deal

16th September 2008 - India to build World’s largest cricket stadium