Covid-19 pandemic forcing players to pull out of IPL 2021

The Covid-19 pandemic situation in India is getting worse day by day.  More than three and a half lakh people are being affected by Covid-19 every day. Thousands are dying in the second wave of the pandemic. There is less availability of seats in the hospital. People are screaming for oxygen all around. In this situation, foreign cricketers of IPL have started leaving India. 3 Aussie cricketers, Adam Zampa, Kane Richardson, and Andrew Tye, are going to leave India in the middle of the IPL worrying to get stranded there.

However, the three Aussie stars are returning to their home country Australia due to some personal reasons. Adam Zampa and Kane Richardson played for Royal Challengers Bangalore this season. Andrew Tye was in the squad of Sanju Samson’s team Rajasthan Royals. Andrew Tye has said that the rest of the foreign cricketers are also thinking of leaving India.

Tye said in a radio interview, “There are many reasons to leave the IPL. However, many who went to Perth from India are now staying in hotels for quarantine. Community spread is going on there (India). The government is also trying to handle the situation. So, I decided to return to the country before I also fell in the situation to undergo quarantine in a hotel. I have been in the bio-security zone for a long time. I have been at home for only 11 days since last August. I can’t stay outside of home anymore.”

Australian cricketers such as Pat Cummins, Steve Smith, and David Warner are still playing in the current IPL. However, Tye said that they are going to walk on the same path in the future. According to Tye, “A lot of players contacted me knowing that I am leaving. Many people asked for the details of how I am returning to the country. They wanted to know whether I’m okay or not. So, I think I am not the only cricketer to take this decision.”

On the other hand, one of India’s star spinners, Ravichandran Ashwin, did not wait to think whether the IPL would be postponed due to the country’s disaster. In this epidemic, Ashwin has left his IPL team Delhi Capitals and rushed to his family members. He will be by the side of family members to fight against Corona. This matter has been confirmed by the Delhi Capitals Authority. The franchise also expressed full support for Ashwin’s decision.

However, BCCI president Saurav Ganguly has said that IPL will continue as per scheduled and BCCI will assist if any foreign player wants to leave for their countries. Only time will tell what is the fate of this edition of IPL.

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