The Board of Control for Cricket in India are stunningly giving its Indian Premier League stars a coronavirus vaccine next week to continue with the tournament, despite the country being in an increasing state of emergency due to the pandemic.
Daily Covid infections in India are topping a worrying 350,000 with reports of oxygen shortages and hospitals unable to cope. On Monday, the country recorded a staggering 352,991 new cases. Despite this national emergency, the IPL is carrying on as usual – with the tournament due to conclude on May 30.
The BCCI have sent a desperate letter to its IPL stars to plead with them not to quit and Australian Chris Lynn, who is currently playing for the Mumbai Indians, has revealed that he and others are now due to get a jab next week to continue playing.
Chris Lynn has revealed that he and other IPL stars will be vaccinated against Covid next week
India is currently reporting around 350,000 Covid-19 cases a day with hospitals struggling
‘I know there are people worse off than us. But we are going from a really tight bubble and are getting vaccinated next week so hopefully the government will let us get home on a private charter,’ Lynn, who played the IPL 2021 opener against the Royal Challengers Bangalore, told News Corp media.
‘I texted back that as Cricket Australia make 10 per cent of every IPL contract was there a chance we could spend that money this year on a charter flight once the tournament is over?
‘We are not asking for shortcuts and we signed up knowing the risks. But it would be great to get home as soon as the event is over,’ Lynn added.
Lynn’s comments come days after Australian trio Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa and Kane Richardson pulled out of the tournament over the weekend as a result of Covid cases rises, while India star Ravichandran Ashwin has stood down from his role with the Delhi Capitals to focus on his family.
With fears increasing about the viability of the tournament, the BCCI’s interim chief executive Hemang Amin has written to the the eight franchises and its players that they have ‘nothing to worry about’ and that they are playing for ‘humanity’.
Australia’s Adam Zampa and Kane Richardson have pulled out of the IPL due to the crisis
‘We understand that many of you are apprehensive about how you will get back home once the tournament concludes, which is natural and understandable. We want to apprise you that you have nothing to worry about,’ he wrote.
‘The BCCI will do everything to ensure that you reach your respective destinations seamlessly.
‘The BCCI is monitoring the situation very closely and is working with the government authorities to make arrangements to get you home once the tournament concludes. Be rest assured that the tournament is not over for BCCI till each one of you has reached your home, safe and sound.
‘While you go about playing the sport, we all love, you are also doing something really important.
‘As some of you have said, “if we can help distract people from all the troubles of recent times, even if it is for a short while, we have done a great job”.
‘When you all walk out onto the field, you are bringing hope to millions of people who have tuned in. If, even for a minute, you can bring a smile on someone’s face, then you have done well.
‘While you are professionals and will play to win, this time you are also playing for something much more important… humanity.’
To try and reassure the players’ safety, Amin revealed that they have ramped up their bio-secure environments with testing now every two days instead of five.
‘In order to allay any apprehensions and concerns, we are further strengthening our bio-secure environments to keep everyone involved in the tournament safe and healthy,’ he continued.
‘Recently, we increased testing in our bio-bubbles to be extra vigilant. Instead of the stipulated test every five days, we now conduct a test every two days.
‘Further, earlier in the tournament, we had permitted food deliveries from outside your designated hotels, but these privileges have also been withdrawn. Apart from this, we have also increased our level of caution to strengthen our bio-bubbles.
‘I am sure you will understand and co-operate with us on these steps taken to strengthen the bubble. The health and safety of our players, support staff, management and everyone involved in IPL 2021 is of paramount importance and we will leave no stone unturned in that endeavour.’
Following news of Amin’s letter, this has so far been met with positivity on social media – with fans grateful that it’s going ahead.
‘Good to see the IPL and board officials being communicative to the people involved in this league. We need such a communication more often in future,’ wrote one user on Twitter.
‘That’s the spirit this is IPL!!’ wrote another appraising fan on social media, while someone else simply put ‘brilliant’ accompanied with two thumbs up emojis.
The IPL’s stance on continuing with the tournament has already received a backlash though with the New Indian Express, a newspaper based in Chennai, deciding to stop its coverage with immediate effect until a ‘semblance of normalcy is restored’.
‘In such a tragic time, we find it incongruous that the festival of cricket is on in India, with layers of bio bubbles creating protection,’ read a message from the paper’s editor.
‘This is commercialism gone crass. The problem is not with the game but its timing. Cricket, too, must accept that we are passing through an unprecedented crisis.’