Cancel IPL 2021 amid rise in COVID-19 cases, fans urge BCCI

As India detected more than one lakh COVID-19 cases on Sunday, the highest daily increase recorded in the country since the beginning of the pandemic, cricket fans urged the cash-rich Indian Premier League to be cancelled or postponed. Three IPL players have already tested positive. While one has recovered, the other two – Axar Patel and Devdutt Padikkal – are yet to recover and get back with the team. Also, to make the matter worse, 10 groundsmen of the Wankhede – where many IPL matches will take place – have tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

Let’s have a look how fans are reacting:

Last year, IPL was slated to take place in the month of March, but was postponed and later held in September after the Men’s T20 World Cup was postponed. But, the tournament did not take place in India, it had to be shifted to UAE.

The latest season is set to begin in Chennai with a match between Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore on 9 April, with the final to be played in Ahmedabad on 30 May.

Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, New Delhi and Kolkata will host games throughout the tournament, with Ahmedabad also hosting the playoffs and final. All teams will play at four of the six venues with 11 double headers to be held.