IPL 2021: Practice facilities in Ahmedabad and Delhi may have induced breach in COVID-19 protocols

The second phase of the 2021 Indian Premier League (IPL) where the matches were being held in Ahmedabad and Delhi might have led to the breach in the COVID-19 protocols. The T20 tournament took place without any hassles in Chennai and Mumbai after which things started going array.

After the T20 league moved in its second leg, a number of players and support staff tested positive for the novel coronavirus. In the end, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had to postpone the IPL for an indefinite period of time.

It’s been learned that there have been talks inside the board that the decision to host the games in Delhi and Ahmedabad wasn’t correct.

“There is a belief within many Board of Control for Cricket of India (BCCI) and state officials that the decision to take the second phase to Delhi and Ahmedabad was wrong,” an official close to the developments was quoted as saying in TOI.

“There were four teams in each city and except for the main ground, which is an international-level facility and hosted matches, the alternate facilities meant for practice were open to exposure to Covid-19.”

Stadium in Ahmedabad still under construction

Earlier this year, the Narendra Modi Stadium, the world’s largest cricket stadium, made its international debut with the series against England. However, the official mentioned that even as the venue is suitable for first-class cricket, for T20s, the ground still isn’t suitable.

“The problem with the newly-built Narendra Modi Stadium in Motera is that the adjoining grounds and facilities are still under construction. While it will be a state-of-the-art facility with multiple grounds, it is not yet completed.

“The teams can’t use the current practice nets as it is not suitable for big-hitting needed during T20 practice. It is okay for Test matches or first-class cricket practice,” the official added.

The official was also of the opinion that taking the players to the Gujarat College ground was filled with loads of risk due to the presence of security guards, gardeners and others.

Three teams, which practised there, were affected by COVID-19. Four players from the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) tested positive for the ungodly virus.