The Indian Premier League (IPL) has been indefinitely suspended due to the Covid-19 crisis in the country, tournament organisers announced on Tuesday.
After as spate of confirmed positive coronavirus tests by tournament players, the IPL said 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.”
UPDATE: 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.
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 4, 2021
Details - https://t.co/OgYXPj9FQy pic.twitter.com/lYmjBId8gL
India’s tally of coronavirus infections surged past 20 million yesterday, following 357 229 new cases over the last 24 hours, as the country battles a second wave of the disease.
With players such Quinton de Kock, Kagiso Rabada, AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis among others still in India, Cricket South Africa (CSA) yesterday released a statement reading: “CSA has made contact with all of the relevant franchises to ensure the expedited travel of all South African players and support staff back to our shores.”