IPL to go ahead as per schedule despite new curbs in Maharashtra, confirms Sourav Ganguly

Tags: Indian cricket League 2021, Sourav Chandidas Ganguly

Published on: Apr 04, 2021

BCCI President Sourav Ganguly has confirmed that the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League - IPL 2021 - will go ahead as per schedule. Ganguly’s assurance came after the Maharashtra government, on Sunday, announced stricter lockdown-like measures to curb the spread of Covid-19. The BCCI president confirmed to ANI, "Everything will go on as per schedule."

Maharashtra Cabinet Minister Nawab Malik, after a cabinet meeting, informed reporters that strict rules have been made and will be enforced from 8 pm on Monday. “The night curfew will be in force from 8 pm to 7 am. During day time, section 144 will be in force from tomorrow prohibiting more than five people to gather at one place. A decision has been taken to shut down malls, restaurants, bars. Take away services will continue. Essential services will be allowed. Government offices will open with 50 per cent capacity. Industries will continue. There is no restriction on construction work, markets," he informed. A weekend lockdown from 8 pm on Friday to 7 am on Monday was also announced.

Ganguly’s statement of IPL going ahead as planned is significant since Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai is set to host 10 IPL matches this season, from April 10-25. The first match in Mumbai will be between Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings on April 10.

Delhi Capitals, Mumbai Indians, Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals have set up their base in Mumbai for now. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), who are currently in Mumbai, will soon move to Chennai. There, they will play their first game against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 11.

BCCI vice president Rajeev Shukla further revealed that the board will get in touch with the Health Ministry to try and get the players vaccinated. Shukla told ANI, "In order to cope with this coronavirus rise, I think the only solution is to get vaccinated. BCCI is also thinking on those lines that players should be vaccinated. Nobody knows when coronavirus is going to end and you can't give a deadline that by this time frame, it will not be there so players can play easily. So, I think now will have to think over that. Vaccination should be done for the players also."

Among players, Delhi Capitals’ Axar Patel and RCB’s Devdutt Padikkal have tested positive for Covid-19, and are in quarantine.

--By A Cricket Correspondent

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