Due to the scare of the fourth Covid wave, the IPL 2022 was shifted entirely to Maharashtra. But, the recent quarantining of the Delhi Capitals squad following players contracting the virus, has again raised all sorts of speculations as India braces for the fourth wave.
Delhi Capitals camp in quarantine due to Covid outbreak. I hope that it does not affect the IPL this year or we might see an IPL before the T20 world cup#Cricket #DelhiCapitals #IPL2022
— Hardik Sakaria (@kaafihonest) April 18, 2022
In 2021, the BCCI indefinitely called off the IPL after players and support staff of various franchises tested positive for Covid. The cancellation brought losses of more than rupees 3000 crores for both the BCCI and the franchises. The cricket board was criticized at that time for conducting the tournament at a time when the nation was fighting the deadly second wave.
The players had got infected despite creating bio-safety bubbles. It means that Within a bio-secure environment, bubbles were created for the Franchise teams, support staff, match officials, and the match management team.
All the team members within a bubble had to follow a particular RT-PCR testing plan. Also, four Integrity Officers were appointed to keep a track of the movements of the teams and take required action if a COVID case comes up. Bio bubbles were created for this year’s IPL as well!
#IPL2022 #DCvPBKS #DCvsPBKS @DelhiCapitals' game against @PunjabKingsIPL shifted to Mumbai from Pune due to #COVID19 outbreak 🏏
Five members of #DelhiCapitals, including Australian all-rounder #MitchellMarsh have tested positive
Full Story 👉 https://t.co/67xsxQZTWz pic.twitter.com/4MfhbmAsLF
— TOI Sports (@toisports) April 19, 2022
However, team Delhi Capitals had to cancel their scheduled travel to Pune ahead of their match against Punjab Kings on Wednesday due to a Covid-19 outbreak scare in their camp. The whole team is placed under quarantine after an unnamed player contracted the virus- found by Rapid Antigen Test(RAT). It is reported that another player has now tested positive on the RAT and will undergo further RT-PCR test to confirm the result.
So finally covid has entered in IPL , Now why BCCI is waiting, They should cancel IPL , We have WT20 this year , we can't take risk on players health. BCCI need to do something very soon , Players life is in danger. #CancelPL2022 @SGanguly99 @JayShah
— Chaudhary (@KeepItSimpleBoy) April 16, 2022
Last Friday, a press release confirmed that “Delhi Capitals physio Patrick Farhart has been tested positive for COVID-19. He is being closely monitored by the DC Medical Team at the moment.” With other Covid-19 scares in the Delhi camp, the team’s next course of action is being discussed with the BCCI.
The number of daily cases in various states of India has surged in the last week. As the COVID scare looms over the IPL, people have started predicting whether the tournament would be continued, possibly in the UAE, or canceled like last time. Meanwhile, fans are reacting on social media. While many are upset over the Covid news, others feel that it is a wise decision to cancel the tournament, keeping in mind the players’ safety and the upcoming T20 World Cup.
References: The Economic Times, Business Standard, India.com , Wion
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