RCB skipper Virat Kohli returns to Mumbai after the suspension of IPL 2021

Team India and Royal Challengers Bangalore’s skipper Virat Kohli has flown back home after the abrupt halting of the Indian Premier League’s 14^th edition. He was seen outside his Mumbai apartment, where he reached from Ahmedabad a day after the BCCI confirmed about the indefinite postponement of the league.

Ensuring all precautions, he can be seen using all the necessary and advised protective Covid-19 gears. Notably, the Royal Challengers Bangalore was the first team to express unwillingness to play after two players from the Kolkata Knight Riders, their rivals for the 30^th league fixture, tested positive.

RCB had a stellar run of form in the league, winning five games out of the seven they played. However, as fate would have it, the tournament stands postponed. India, currently, is in the midst of a severe second wave with the nation recording record new infections daily. As per official data, the country recorded more than 3,82,000 new infections in the last 24 hours and as many as 3,700 deaths in the same span.

Meanwhile, Virat Kohli is now expected to focus on contributing to India’s Covid-19 fight as announced by his wife Anushka Sharma on Sunday on her social media platforms. India’s next assignment is the World Test Championship final, scheduled to be played from 18-22 June against New Zealand in Southampton.

 

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It is imperative that the tournament is suspended: BCCI

On 4^th May, the BCCI and the IPL Governing Council took a unanimous decision to call off the league after multiple players across different teams contracted with the virus.
“The Indian Premier League Governing Council (IPL GC) and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in an emergency meeting has unanimously decided to postpone IPL 2021 season, with immediate effect,” read the official statement.

“The BCCI does not want to compromise on the safety of the players, support staff and the other participants involved in organising the IPL. This decision was taken keeping the safety, health and well-being of all the stakeholders in mind.”

“These are difficult times, especially in India and while we have tried to bring in some positivity and cheer, however, it is imperative that the tournament is now suspended and everyone goes back to their families and loved ones in these trying times. The BCCI will do everything in its powers to arrange for the secure and safe passage of all the participants in IPL 2021.

“The BCCI would like to thank all the healthcare workers, state associations, players, support staff, franchises, sponsors, partners and all the service providers who have tried their best to organise IPL 2021 even in these extremely difficult times,” the BCCI statement read.

The Story behind IPL’s cancellation