IPL 2021: Players could have picked up the virus at the airport – Report

After Indian Premier League 2021 was postponed indefinitely by the Board of Control for Cricket in India, there have been many speculations as to how and when the players contracted coronavirus.

According to reports in Sports Tak, Varun Chakravarthy complained of severe abdominal pain and thus went to the hospital with the team’s doctor to get his scan.

Chakravarthy is expected not to breach the bio bubble of the team but he didn’t quarantine himself after his visit from the hospital. Meanwhile, it is now reported that the players could have picked the novel virus at the airport. BCCI had requested tarmac exits from state governments but they were denied the same, a report in NDTV said.

“NDTV has learned two players and one team coach contracted COVID-19 while travelling through the airport terminus. Teams had demanded tarmac access from state governments, which was denied, thus risking the players. In the UAE, there was no air travel,” it says.

There is no doubt that hosting the IPL amid the second wave of Covid-19 was always going to be challenging for the Indian board. Furthermore, the travel of the teams from one city to the other was always going to be a big risk in testing times like these.

The IPL postponement was always on the cards after two KKR players – Sandeep Warrier and Varun Chakravarthy – were tested positive on Monday.

Furthermore, Sunrisers Hyderabad wicket-keeper Wriddhiman Saha, Delhi Capitals’ leg-spinner Amit Mishra and Chennai Super Kings batting coach Michael Hussey were tested positive for Covid-19 on Tuesday, which forced the BCCI to postpone the event indefinitely.

BCCI is set to lose a whopping amount of around INR 2200 crores with broadcasting rights and from sponsors. The Indian board is now looking at the September window to host the IPL 2021.