Ness Wadia Backed BCCI’s Decision To Host IPL 2021 In India

May 5, 2021 at 4:42 PM

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Ness Wadia Backed BCCI’s Decision To Host IPL 2021 In India

Ness Wadia, Punjab Kings (PBKS) co-owner on Tuesday backed the BCCI’s decision to host IPL-14 in India amid the COVID-19 threat, saying that was the “right call” before the situation deteriorated quickly.

The Indian Premier League 2021 was on Tuesday suspended indefinitely after multiple COVID-19 cases were reported in its bio-bubble, ending a month-long relatively smooth run for cricket’s most glamorous event in the middle of a raging pandemic.

Punjab Kings co-owner Ness Wadia Image Source : IPLT20.COM
Punjab Kings co-owner Ness Wadia Image Source: IPLT20.COM

Ness Wadia: Best Decision Taken To Suspend IPL 2021 But Defends Decision To Held IPL 2021 In India Before Conditions Deteriorated

Ness Wadia welcomed the decision to suspend the league for the time being.

“Best decision has been taken given the circumstances. A lot of people are suffering in India,” Wadia told PTI.

As far as hosting the event was concerned in the first place, he said, “Due diligence was done before the IPL but no one is perfect. The right call was taken to hold it in India ahead of the World Cup it is just unfortunate that the situation deteriorated so quickly.”

Varun Chakravarthy (File Photo)
Varun Chakravarthy (File Photo)

The decision to postpone the league was announced after SunRisers Hyderabad batsman Wriddhiman Saha and Delhi Capitals spinner Amit Mishra joined the infected players’ list, which already had Kolkata Knight Riders’ Varun Chakravarthy and Sandeep Warrier. Chennai Super Kings’ bowling coach Laxmipathy Balaji was among the prominent non-playing staff to test positive.

Wadia added, “If the ground staff wasn’t part of the whole bubble then that needs to be fixed. Also cutting down the venues also need to be considered forward to reduce the risk.”

The league organizers also issued a formal statement postponing the IPL 2021 and said that the safety of its players and staff is paramount. Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 was suspended by The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), on Tuesday, due to at least six covid-19 cases in 4 franchises.

Ness Wadia: Holding IPL 2021 In UAE Won’t Have Made A Difference

He said holding the league in UAE, which hosted it last year due to the pandemic back home, would not have made any difference. The BCCI successfully staged the IPL 2020 across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah in UAE and while there were certain Covid cases reported there as well, the tournament went on smoothly without much hassle.

“I don’t think this has got anything to do in a specific country (India or UAE) would have made a difference. Everyone tried their best sometimes it works sometimes it doesn’t.”

Adam Zampa and Kane Richardson pulled out of IPL 14 while Andrew Tye decided to leave midway | Twitter
Adam Zampa and Kane Richardson pulled out of IPL 14 while Andrew Tye decided to leave midway | Twitter

Speaking of criticism by foreign players such as Australia’s Adam Zampa and Andrew Tye, who had flown back to their country after withdrawing midway from the league, Ness Wadia pointed out that the situation was very different when the tournament started.

“Hats off to the Indian players who have been playing non-stop in bubbles and not complained unlike some of the foreign players.With due respect to the international cricketers including Zampa, the situation was very different a month ago.

“They should study the fact that cases were very less when we started before commenting on it. It happened during the Australia Open they shut the city down when it was happening. People didn’t complain then, why now,” Ness Wadia asked.

Apart from umpire Nitin Menon and Delhi Capitals’ spin all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin, three Australians Andrew Tye (Rajasthan Royals), Kane Richardson, and Adam Zampa (both Royal Challengers Bangalore) left earlier midway in the tournament due to rising Covid-19 cases and fearing future travel bans.

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