The Indian Premier League (IPL) remains the biggest annual cricketing festival in the world but in times where Covid-19 is making miserable all across the country, the authorities’ decision to allow the T20 league has raised many questions. Former England skipper Michael Vaughan, who remains an active expert of the game, feels that the T20 league should continue as it brings joy to billions of people. But there was one aspect of the ongoing season that puzzled Vaughan.
With about 3.5 lakh fresh cases emerging in India, strict curbs and curfews have been imposed in most regions across the country. The positivity rate has been skyrocketing while the treatment of patients suffering from Covid-19 has become a huge challenge for the healthcare sector.
Though apprehensions among cricketers participating in the IPL during these times are understandable, the Board of Control for Cricket (BCCI) bio-bubble has kept them protected from the virus. Though the 14th edition of IPL has run flawlessly since its commencement, a few players like Adam Zampa, Kane Richardson, Andrew Tye and Liam Livingstone decided to withdraw from the league citing virus threat. However, the others have stood by their commitments.
“I think the IPL should carry on .. The joy it will be bringing billions in these awful times every evening is important .. but I do find it tough to think back how England & Aussie pulled out of games in SA, yet both countries players are allowed to play in India !!! ”, Vaughan opined.
The England tour of South Africa was called off mid-way following the outbreak of Covid-19 virus within both teams’ camps, staff at the hotel where they were staying. The England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) decided to call back their players after deeming the Cricket South Africa bio-bubble not resolute enough to fend off the virus threat.
Australia were supposed to tour South Africa too but Cricket Australia called off the entire tour citing the risk of the South African variant of the virus that was causing havoc in the country and other parts of the globe too.
