As things stand, members of three franchises have been confirmed to have tested positive
The IPL 2021 stands suspended after it was discovered that a third team – and possibly a fourth – had at least one positive case. The BCCI decided it was in the best interest of all stakeholders to get everyone home and safe. Follow our Live Blog for all the updates, reactions and analysis. Please keep refreshing for latest updates.
2pm
The BCCI’s biggest immediate challenge
Given the stated aim – and rightly so – is to get every participant to their families and loved ones, the biggest immediate challenge for the BCCI is to get overseas players into their respective countries. As it stands, most countries in the world have already banned entry for those coming in India or contemplating that. Australia is one of the countries that have done the former. New Zealand is still allowing citizens back in. The UK will require those coming in to quarantine for 10 days at a government-approved hotel and test on days 2 and 8. However, the UAE, a major transit point for most flights, has stopped entertaining flights from India.
NZC has responded to the situation: “NZC remains in contact with the New Zealand contingent in the Indian Premier League. The players are in a relatively safe environment and those within affected teams are in isolation. We’ll continue to liaise with the BCCI, the ECB and New Zealand government authorities in terms of managing their situation – but at this juncture it’s too early to discuss potential options.”
1.45pm
Why we know a resumption is not in sight
These are the operative parts of the BCCI statement.
… it is imperative that the tournament is now suspended and everyone goes back to their families and loved ones in these trying times.
The BCCI will do everything in its powers to arrange for the secure and safe passage of all the participants in IPL 2021.
The BCCI would like to thank all the healthcare workers, state associations, players, support staff, franchises, sponsors, partners and all the service providers who have tried their best to organise IPL 2021 even in these extremely difficult times.
Sidharth Monga is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo