IPL 2021: Curfew in Maharashtra will help in smooth conduct of IPL matches at Wankhede

The second wave of COVID-19 in India has again put a sense of panic and the Indian Premier League is no different. With a huge rise in COVID cases in the last two weeks, stringent measures have been taken to cope with this deadly virus. Maharashtra who has been the worst-affected state in the country has been forced to announce a curfew till 1st May. With 10 of the IPL matches slated to be played at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, questions have been raised on what sort of impact the curfew will have on the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). 

According to reports in the Insidesport, a BCCI official confirmed that the curfew won’t affect the schedule of the ongoing IPL especially in Mumbai and the situation would actually help them ease the operations in the cash-rich league. 

“We are keeping a close eye on the developments. We are totally committed to Covid-19 guidelines. There is no possibility to shift the matches from the five venues, including Mumbai. In fact, operations have been smooth in the two matches played so far in Wankhede without any hiccups. Night curfews and weekend curfews seem to be a blessing in disguise as far as IPL operation is concerned given the huge spur in Covid 19 cases in Maharashtra and Mumbai,” a top BCCI official was quoted as saying to Insidesport on the condition of anonymity

Even before the start of the IPL, there has been a quite a few cases reported among players, support staffs and groundsmen. The likes of Devdutt Padikkal and Daniel Sams of RCB, Axar Patel from DC, Nitish Rana from Kolkata Knight Riders and some of the gr0undstaff and members of the broadcast team had reported positive for COVID-19. 

The latest on the list is Anrich Nortje who contracted the virus while serving quarantine. However, neither of the issues went out of hand. The BCCI’s medical team have made sure that there is no possibility of spreading of the virus among players who are already in the bio-secure bubble. 

“A few players got infected during their travels. they have been quarantined and isolated. The groundsmen and others came from different parts of the city and they have been replaced. Everything is under control. Nothing to worry as far as players, coaches and support staff are concerned,” the official further added. 

Mumbai has thus far hosted two matches and both the matches have been conducted without any problem. Unless the players don’t follow the bio-bubble rules and regulations, the tournament is unlikely to follow the pathway of PSL.