The rising number of COVID-19 cases in the state of Maharashtra is causing quite some concern for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) as it aims to ensure that the Indian Premier League (IPL) goes ahead as scheduled. Even today, 8 groundsmen at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai tested positive for the virus while Axar Patel of Delhi Capitals was also affected by it.
These news have raised concern over how the IPL will take place even as the state grapples with a stronger than ever second wave of the coronavirus. In that vein, the BCCI has reportedly made plans to move the tournament out of Mumbai if the conditions worsen in the state.
‘Confident that games in Mumbai will go ahead’
A senior Mumbai CA official spoke to PTI today about the developments and said, “Yes, it was 8 positive cases yesterday as far as ground-staff are concerned. Today two more positive cases have emerged and all 10 have been sent back home and are isolated. We are bringing fresh ground-staff from the Mumbai CA ground in Kandivali for preparations. Also 6 to 7 event management staff hired by BCCI have also tested positive.”
Confirming the news of the standby venues, “Look, even if there is a lockdown, the teams are in bio-bubble and also it’s a closed-door event. So we are still confident that IPL games in Mumbai will be held as per schedule with Delhi Capitals playing Chennai Super Kings on April 10 on the second day of the tournament. But Hyderabad and Indore are there on stand by in case the situation goes out of hand,” he added.
“Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings for example are taking turns to train at the Brabourne Stadium and Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) ground. KKR is training in Navi Mumbai at the DY Patil before they leave for Chennai,” the official further said.
The IPL begins on the 9th of April in Chennai.
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