The circumstances surrounding the suspension, and resumption of arguably the biggest T20 league in the world is a sign of the times the world currently find itself living in, even though it’s not by choice. Strict arrangements limiting movements in and out of the various IPL franchise bio-bubbles in India earlier this year only helped as much before coronavirus breached through the airtight defenses. The fear and uncertainty that followed the sudden, dramatic suspension of the event seemed to have abated and normalcy restored but in the days leading up to IPL 2021’s resumption, troubling signs returned.
Covid found a breach in the Indian camp during their England tour last week, casting a faint shadow over the UAE leg of T20 league. However, as of now, those worries can wait with all India cricketers set to be part of the circus testing negative, and all eight teams gearing up to relaunch their respective campaigns.
A safe conduct of the league isn’t just vital to the BCCI which worked out a way for the completion of its showpiece event, and thus saving itself from what would otherwise have resulted in significant financial damages. T20 World Cup closely follows the league, and at the same venue(s). Even a minor hiccup during the IPL could spell trouble.
So a lot is riding on the second phase of IPL where 31 matches will be played between September 19 and October 15 across three venues - like last year when the entire season was held without an incident. The stakeholders will hope a repeat of 2020.
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