It has been a long-running debate whether the ongoing IPL 2021 tournament should have been suspended or not. While many supported it to continue, many players and fans objected to the continuation of the league, citing the rising Covid cases as the reason. After several discussions, BCCI has finally announced that the 2021 session of IPL will be suspended indefinitely. The decision comes as a result of the rising numbers of Covid positives within the IPL bio bubble.

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Amit Mishra of Delhi Capitals and Wriddhiman Saha of Sunrisers Hyderabad tested positive for the virus recently, after which the board took the decision to suspend the tournament. BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla told CNN-News18, “All the office bearers and council members have together decided, after talking to all stakeholders including the franchises and broadcasters, that for now it should be suspended.”

“After a while, we will take a call when it will be resumed. Yes, few players in Kolkata and Chennai (have tested positive). Not many players have been affected. All precautions have been taken, but still keeping in mind the health of players and support staff, we have taken the decision. We will keep an eye on the situation. There’s a possibility for the season to resume if the situation improves,” added Shukla.

Apart from Mishra and Saha, two Kolkata Knight Riders players – Varun Chakravarthy and Sandeep Warrier had also tested positive for the deadly virus. Later, it was also confirmed that two non-playing members of Chennai Super Kings camp – bowling coach Laxmipathy Balaji and a member of travelling staff – were also infected.

While there has been no clarity on tonight’s match between Sunrisers Hyderabad and defending champions Mumbai Indians, it is being said that the match will go ahead as planned unless there’s a late development. BCCI is also planning to limit the rest of the season to just one venue with Mumbai being considered as the primary option.