The Indian Premier League (IPL) will carry on with games, its beginners said on Sunday, but came under heavy stricture for the plan as the country grapples with a voluminous surge in coronavirus cases. The New Indian Express and a sister publication said on Sunday they had cleared to suspend its IPL coverage, while hundreds of fans lambasted the league on social media. An IPL governing council member told Reuters the league has “a hearty bio-bubble” and is being played without fans which made it safe to continue.
“IPL provides a much-needed sorrow for all from the destiny and sorrow around us,” the official said, requesting anonymity.
“Yes, cases have surged in venues like Delhi, but we have two standby venues in Hyderabad and Indore and we’d use them if needed.”
India’s number of COVID-19 cases surged by 349,691 on Sunday, a new global record, and hospitals in Delhi and across the country are turning away patients after running out of medical oxygen and beds. The Chennai-based New Indian Express said its decision to suspend coverage was “a small posture on the part of keeping the nation’s attention focused on life and death issues.” Australia’s Adam Gilchrist, who led now-vanished Deccan Chargers to their maiden IPL victory in 2009, also waded into the discussion . “Best wishes to all in India. Terrible COVID numbers. #IPL continues. Unsuitable? Or important sorrow each night? Whatever your thoughts, prayers are with you,” tweeted the former test player. India’s tally of transits stands at 16.96 million with 192,311 deaths.