“Cricketers can’t just live in their own bubble” – Abhinav Bindra questions the conduct of IPL 2021


“Cricketers can’t just live in their own bubble” – Abhinav Bindra questions the conduct of IPL 2021

Abhinav Bindra

The second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic is raging at the moment and India is witnessing an unprecedented increase in cases. With as many as 3 lakh and more positive cases per day, the situation is well and truly bleak in the country. Mini-lockdowns and restrictions are being undertaken, but the spread of the disease has been rampant like never before with the common man struggling gravely.

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Almost all sporting events in the country have been banned, but the Indian Premier League (IPL) is underway at the moment with strict restrictions and the employment of bio-bubble for players and the staff. There have been cases of players withdrawing due to anxiety about the whole situation, but the BCCI has made it clear that the tournament will go ahead as per the original schedule.

Abhinav Bindra reacts to the conduct of IPL 2021

Maxwell IPL 2021
Action from an IPL match

India’s legendary shooter and gold medalist at the 2008 Olympic Games, Abhinav Bindra wrote in a column for The New Indian Express today about the conduct of the IPL and said, “Cricketers and officials can’t just live in their own bubble, and be totally deaf or blind to whatever is going outside. I can only imagine that while you’re having these IPL games, outside the stadium you have ambulances going to hospitals. I don’t know how the coverage on TV is but I would really appreciate if it’s a little bit muted.”

“The players should realise just how privileged they are to be able to play the IPL in these times. So, I just hope everybody involved in the IPL play their part in one way or the other, either through right messaging – like the importance of masking up, the importance of social distancing – or even finding creative ways to amplify the health requirements of people,” he added.

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“In sport, we talk about victories and defeats. But when the pandemic eventually subsides, and that day will come, there will be no victory. Just an end,” Bindra concluded.

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