IPL suspended indefinitely after several players test COVID-19 positive

NEW DELHI: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has suspended the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 after several players and support staff tested positive for COVID-19.

The development has come just days after the Kolkata Knight Riders' spinner Varun Chakravarthy and seamer Sandeep Warrier tested positive for COVID-19, forcing the match between the Kolkata Knight Riders and the Royal Challengers Bangalore in Ahmedabad to be rescheduled.

The decision was made after Amit Mishra and Wriddhiman Saha tested positive for the virus on Tuesday, said the IPL governing council members.

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The news was confirmed by several BCCI officials, as well as the franchises. "After much deliberation, the tournament had to be postponed for the time being," a BCCI official added.

Two more members of the Chennai Super Kings' IPL squad, bowling coach L Balaji and a bus cleaner, tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday. However, CEO Kashi Viswanathan's second report come negative in the evening. But, Balaji and the team driver, on the other hand, remained upbeat.

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The BCCI is now in talks with the authorities to ensure that the overseas players' travel is secure.

"We're in contact with the authorities to see if we can send the players back home, and we'll make sure everybody is safe," a BCCI official said.

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