A leading Indian newspaper group suspended coverage of the
Indian Premier League on Sunday, calling the glitzy cricket tournament "commercialism gone crass" and "incongruous" as a record-breaking pandemic surge grips the country.
Express Publications said in a front-page editorial of its flagship English-language daily, the New Indian Express, that the paper was halting reporting on the Twenty20 event until a "semblance of normalcy is restored".
The Morning Standard and the Sunday Standard -- two other English-language newspapers in their stable -- shared the same editorial.
The money-spinning event being held behind closed doors -- and running to May 30 -- is hosted by the world's richest and most powerful cricket board and enjoys huge popularity among the country's sports fans.