IPL suspended indefinitely after Sunrisers Hyderabad become FOURTH team to record positive coronavirus case

THE Indian Premier League has been suspended indefinitely due to the coronavirus crisis crippling the nation as a FOURTH team recorded positive cases.

The country saw 352,991 new Covid-19 cases on Monday with the pandemic wrecking through the health system.

Sportzpics – BCCI

The IPL has been suspended after the Sunrisers Hyderabad recorded positive Covid-19 cases[/caption]

Reuters

Wriddhiman Saha, pictured playing for India, of Sunrisers Hyderabad tested positive for coronavirus[/caption]

Sunrisers Hyderabad joined Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals in having new cases within the camp in recent days.

Wriddhiman Saha of the Sunrisers returned a positive test – meaning half of the eight teams are now affected.

Sunrisers Hyderabad were due to face Mumbai Indians in Delhi today.

Saha follows Kolkata pair Varun Chakravarthy and Sandeep Warrier, two members of the Chennai backroom staff and a reported case for Delhi’s Amit Mishra.

That also saw the Knight Riders’ game against Royal Challengers Bangalore – due to be played yesterday – postponed while tomorrow’s Super Kings vs Rajasthan Royals was already called off.

Eleven players from England are currently at the IPL – Eoin Morgan, Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow, Jason Roy, Dawid Malan, Chris Jordan, Chris Woakes, Tom Curran, Sam Curran, Moeen Ali and Sam Billings.

This year’s campaign began on April 9 with the final set for May 30 in Ahmedabad.

But the decision, confirmed by IPL chairman Brijesh Patel, was made as a safety measure for all involved.

Yesterday the IPL were determined the big-money tournament would continue despite the desperate situation unfolding in the country while the ECB insisted it was down to the 11 England players still there if they wanted to stay or quit.

Officially the more than 20million cases have been confirmed in India with 219,000 deaths.

The organisers were coming under increased criticism for refusing to halt the tournament despite figures rocketing.

Use of medical supplies, ambulances and oxygen during these times of sheer devastating crisis also angered many.

Australian players Adam Zampa, Andrew Tye and Kane Richardson all left their bubbles early to go home while Englishman Liam Livingstone did the same when India was added to the banned travel lists.

The bio-secure bubbles in place for the IPL were working well but since Sunday the breaches have occurred and now the tournament is off until further notice.

Alamy

India is being decimated by the coronavirus outbreak[/caption]

AFP

Oxygen is in short supply in some places across the country[/caption]

A BCCI statement read: “The BCCI does not want to compromise on the safety of the players, support staff and the other participants involved in organising the IPL. This decision was taken keeping the safety, health and wellbeing of all the stakeholders in mind.

“These are difficult times, especially in India and while we have tried to bring in some positivity and cheer, however, it is imperative that the tournament is now suspended and everyone goes back to their families and loved ones in these trying times.

“The BCCI will do everything in its powers to arrange for the secure and safe passage of all the participants in IPL 2021.

“The BCCI would like to thank all the healthcare workers, state associations, players, support staff, franchises, sponsors, partners and all the service providers who have tried their best to organise IPL 2021 even in these extremely difficult times.”