Varun Chakravarthy, Sandeep Warrier and Amit Mishra (BCCI/IPL Photo)
MUMBAI: From Varun Chakravarthy to Sandeep Warrier to Amit Mishra, the dreaded Covid-19 virus slithered from one camp into another as BCCI’s protocols on social distancing saw small but negligent breaches last week.
With the GPS tracking device (FOB) being labelled ‘faulty’ by the franchises, the teams and the board worked on manual contact tracing to understand how Covid breached the bio-bubble.
Chakravarthy was taken to the hospital last week. While official reports say it was for a shoulder scan, those in the know say the bowler had abdomen inflammation, following which he returned to the team hotel in Ahmedabad and sat for a meal with Warrier. This was on May 1.
There were 17 New Zealanders in all involved in this year s IPL, including 10 players. (Photo credit: BCCI/IPL)
NEW DELHI: New Zealand cricketers involved in the now suspended IPL, including captain Kane Williamson, are likely to remain in India at least till May 10 before flying to England for national duty, their players union chief said on Wednesday.
The remaining players as well as the support staff in various IPL teams and commentators could return home by charter flights arrange by the franchises, New Zealand Cricket Players Association head Heath Mills said.
Mills is expecting a revision in the travel restrictions for incoming travellers from India by the British government.
The multibillion-dollar Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket tournament was finally suspended today (May 4).
In India, there are around 400,000 new daily Covid-19 infections (that we know of); a lack of hospital beds, vaccines, and oxygen supplies; and bodies cremated wherever grieving relatives can find space.
But until now, some of the world’s best players, along with support staff, TV crews, and the entire machinery of a major sporting event except spectators were still moving around the country in Covid-secure bubbles. Medical resources are severely limited in India, and questions were raised about whether any should be diverted to athletes rather than desperate patients.
Synopsis
According to data by television ratings agency Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC), an average 105 million unique viewers watched 17 matches in the first two weeks of IPL, 9.5% less than last year.
Television viewership of the ongoing Indian Premier League is down almost 10% from last year amid a severe second wave of Covid-19, prompting many advertisers to approach broadcaster Star Sports Network to rework advertising deals, which may include extra airtime.
According to data by television ratings agency Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC), an average 105 million unique viewers watched 17 matches in the first two weeks of IPL, 9.5% less than last year.
BCCI Secretary Jay Shah with President Sourav Ganguly.
Didn t wish to compromise on safety of people involved in IPL: BCCI Secretary Jay Shah ANI | Updated: May 04, 2021 13:57 IST
By Baidurjo Bhose
New Delhi [India], May 4 (ANI): The 14th edition of the Indian Premier League has been postponed as the country battles the second COVID-19 wave. BCCI Secretary Jay Shah has made it clear that safety of each and every person involved with the league was the priority.
Speaking to ANI, Shah said that keeping an eye on the current COVID-19 situation, the BCCI and IPL Governing Council decided to postpone the league.