Should IPL 2021 be Postponed Amid Rising Coronavirus Cases in India?

[cricketjoshila]

Did you see Kapil Dev's views? I'm sure there are Indians like him who disagree as well. There opinions are just as valid. But hey as long as the money hungry owners are getting their fix and not losing money I don't think they care...

With every kapil dev there is a Gavaskar. If millions are watching the IPL and the IPL is not hindering the efforts to control the pandemic and is safe for the participants, i see no reason to cancel it.

 

[naseem]

With every kapil dev there is a Gavaskar. If millions are watching the IPL and the IPL is not hindering the efforts to control the pandemic and is safe for the participants, i see no reason to cancel it.

The Gavaskar who tried to force his son into national side just like Sachin cozing with Jio Ambani lobby for his son....LOL..

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

The bubble is irrelevant. There was no bubble breach at Euro2020 or the Olympics, but they were cancelled because it is obscene to hold a sporting extravaganza while people a few hundred metres away can’t get oxygen to breathe.

The issue is that there are two historical analogies for the 2021 IPL.

One is the out-of-touch executed French Queen Marie Antoinette responding to starving locals by saying “let them eat cake!”

The other is of the decadent and gluttonous Roman Emperor Nero fiddling while Rome burned.

Interestingly neither depiction was based on actual facts.

So playing on with the IPL is actually WORSE than Emperor Nero and Queen Marie Antoinette.

India and the IPL are aiming pretty low if that is what they aspire to.

This is all that needs to be said on this matter when we are talking about the first world, but we have to accept that in India, death of the common masses might not be seen as of much consequence. It seems strange and obscene to you and I, but then we have never lived in those countries. Or at least I haven't.

Thank God if that is the value they put on the lives of their own people.

 

[asadee]

What a matter of shame that this circus is still going on despite the tragic situation

 

[IMMY69]

This is all that needs to be said on this matter when we are talking about the first world, but we have to accept that in India, death of the common masses might not be seen as of much consequence. It seems strange and obscene to you and I, but then we have never lived in those countries. Or at least I haven't.

Thank God if that is the value they put on the lives of their own people.

But they are bringing happiness to the ones fortunate to be on a ventilator and those that are standing on the streets waiting for admission... The difficulty to breath is forgotten when you know that a game of T20 is going on somewhere.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

But they are bringing happiness to the ones fortunate to be on a ventilator and those that are standing on the streets waiting for admission... The difficulty to breath is forgotten when you know that a game of T20 is going on somewhere.

It's a lost cause. Either some people really can't do without their fix of cricket, or they see this as some sort of standing ground for Indian pride. I'm a big football fan, and I did miss the game when we first went into lockdown and all Premier league fixtures were cancelled, but sometimes you just have to do the right thing.

It gets slightly weird when fans are so caught up in their sport that they are willing to ignore the death of thousands just so long as they get to see their cricket though, and start coming up with mental gymnastics to justify the game going ahead.

 

[Last Monetarist]

There's been no little snobbery about the cultural superiority of the west on display by the usual suspects on here, most of it in horrible taste. I wondered whether it was backed by actual data, I found the following:

United States

Daily deaths from the coronavirus in the United States peaked on the 12th of January with 4,490 deaths. There were 6 NBA games played on that day (https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/index.cgi?month=1&day=12&year=2021).

Italy


Daily deaths from the coronavirus in Italy peaked on the 3rd of December with 993 deaths. There was a full round of Europa League fixtures played on that day, with 3 Italian sides competing. Two of those, Milan and Roma, played at home. (https://www.skysports.com/football/fixtures-results/3-December-2020)

United Kingdom


Daily deaths from the coronavirus in the UK peaked on the 20th of January with 1,823 deaths. There were 2 fixtures in the premier league, 6 in the championship, and 1 in the SPL played on that day. (https://www.skysports.com/football/fixtures-results/20-January-2021)

Germany


Daily deaths from the coronavirus in Germany peaked on the 29th of December 1,244 deaths. However, this daily peak fell during the Bundesliga's winter break which ended on the 8th of January, when Bayern were away to Borussia Mönchengladbach (https://www.skysports.com/football/fixtures-results/8-January-2021). The total number of deaths on that day were 1,143.

Don't get me wrong, it's a horrible situation in India right now, but the moralizing about how it's a cultural failing is squalid and detestable.

 

[Ahmad-GERMANFC]

Italy's world renowned health system fails, COVID deaths.. Italians support their people with people singing in their balconies.. playing music during hard times,
The reaction -- Aww, how brave and poetic.

Spains system crashes, Spanish people and sing and dance in apartment complexes to keep people motivated.
The reaction -- Aww, how brave and heart warming.

India is going through tough times, Watching their favourite sport gives them some respite, some optimism to see through the tough times, and that too in a well managed bubble and tournament which is creating and sustaining jobs of hotel workers and staffs..

The reaction -- You guys are selfish, you guys are mad, why don't you cry everyday and just mourn. Why are you looking for some sense of happiness...

A bunch of hyprocrites.

Your analogies are false. In Italy, Spain etc, people were not dying outside on the streets unable to procure oxygen and hospital beds. In no way is the situation comparable

(In anyway I think IPL can happen in Dubai etc if aim is evening entertainment

 

[IMMY69]

There's been no little snobbery about the cultural superiority of the west on display by the usual suspects on here, most of it in horrible taste. I wondered whether it was backed by actual data, I found the following:

United StatesView attachment 108880

Daily deaths from the coronavirus in the United States peaked on the 12th of January with 4,490 deaths. There were 6 NBA games played on that day (https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/index.cgi?month=1&day=12&year=2021).

Italy
View attachment 108881

Daily deaths from the coronavirus in Italy peaked on the 3rd of December with 993 deaths. There was a full round of Europa League fixtures played on that day, with 3 Italian sides competing. Two of those, Milan and Roma, played at home. (https://www.skysports.com/football/fixtures-results/3-December-2020)

United Kingdom
View attachment 108882

Daily deaths from the coronavirus in the UK peaked on the 20th of January with 1,823 deaths. There were 2 fixtures in the premier league, 6 in the championship, and 1 in the SPL played on that day. (https://www.skysports.com/football/fixtures-results/20-January-2021)

Germany
View attachment 108883

Daily deaths from the coronavirus in Germany peaked on the 29th of December 1,244 deaths. However, this daily peak fell during the Bundesliga's winter break which ended on the 8th of January, when Bayern were away to Borussia Mönchengladbach (https://www.skysports.com/football/fixtures-results/8-January-2021). The total number of deaths on that day were 1,143.

Don't get me wrong, it's a horrible situation in India right now, but the moralizing about how it's a cultural failing is squalid and detestable.

Your stats show sports continued during high death rates in both Europe and the States during the second lockdown and this of course is true.

However the difference is that, and based on what we're seeing here on the news channels and reading about in the newspapers, people are dying on the streets and there are not enough hospital beds or ventilators.

If you can show that the current situation in India is the same then I will be the first western asian to put my hands up and apologise and call out the western nations for continuing with sports during such hardship.

 

[Last Monetarist]

Your stats show sports continued during high death rates in both Europe and the States during the second lockdown and this of course is true.

However the difference is that, and based on what we're seeing here on the news channels and reading about in the newspapers, people are dying on the streets and there are not enough hospital beds or ventilators.

If you can show that the current situation in India is the same then I will be the first western asian to put my hands up and apologise and call out the western nations for continuing with sports during such hardship.

The question related to the assertion that the west had more respect for the value of a human life than in India, and that sport should be discontinued in solidarity with the bereaved. That clearly did not happen in the west when death rates were at their peak.

That doesn't change the fact that the situation in India is dire and that they are in the eye of a storm.

 

[silentkiller187]

Genuine question for the people who think ipl going ahead is a good thing, all this money spent on testing and maintaining a bubble, if it only saved just one life would that be worth cancelling ipl?

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

The question related to the assertion that the west had more respect for the value of a human life than in India, and that sport should be discontinued in solidarity with the bereaved. That clearly did not happen in the west when death rates were at their peak.

That doesn't change the fact that the situation in India is dire and that they are in the eye of a storm.

The west does put more value on a human life - or at least western human lives- than India. Not just India by the way, you can put Pakistan in that bracket too. Sports were suspended during the first lockdown, and although they continued during the subsequent lockdowns, the situation was never so bad that people were dying in the street. Was anyone objecting to the IPL continuing two weeks ago? Corona was still circulating at an unhealthy rate for a year by then.

Since then India has been devastated by the new strain, and we are getting daily reports of a situation out of control. It is a matter of showing some respect for the situation in my view. I just don't think this would have happened in the UK if the country was hit by a similar calamity.

 

[Last Monetarist]

The west does put more value on a human life - or at least western human lives- than India. Not just India by the way, you can put Pakistan in that bracket too. Sports were suspended during the first lockdown, and although they continued during the subsequent lockdowns, the situation was never so bad that people were dying in the street. Was anyone objecting to the IPL continuing two weeks ago? Corona was still circulating at an unhealthy rate for a year by then.

Since then India has been devastated by the new strain, and we are getting daily reports of a situation out of control. It is a matter of showing some respect for the situation in my view. I just don't think this would have happened in the UK if the country was hit by a similar calamity.

The data doesn't support that assertion though, death rates were higher during the second lockdown. Surely the gravity of the crisis (and the consequent need to pay respect to the dead) is highest when the number of people dying per day is at its peak?

The main reason that sport was discontinued last spring was because the virus was a novelty and sporting authorities could not guarantee the safety of the players. It was prudent to take a step back and assess the risk of the virus. Once there was more data about the nature of the virus and the need to efficiently implement biosecure bubbles to ensure player safety, sport has gone on uninterrupted almost everywhere.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

The data doesn't support that assertion though, death rates were higher during the second lockdown. Surely the gravity of the crisis (and the consequent need to pay respect to the dead) is highest when the number of people dying per day is at its peak?

The main reason that sport was discontinued last spring was because the virus was a novelty and sporting authorities could not guarantee the safety of the players. It was prudent to take a step back and assess the risk of the virus. Once there was more data about the nature of the virus and the need to efficiently implement biosecure bubbles to ensure player safety, sport has gone on uninterrupted almost everywhere.

As I said, the situation is under control here, there aren't people dying in the streets unable to get oxygen or hospital beds. If we were in a situation that India finds itself, I can't imagine sport would be continuing until we had got things in hand. There would be panic and anger everywhere, the national mood wouldn't be conducive to carrying on live sports fixtures until then.

 

[IMMY69]

First 3-5 minutes of Hancock's press conference was dedicated to the situation in India and how the UK is doing its bit to help them.

Now when we see the reports we see, listen to the people reporting and those being interviewed than please understand why some of us think it's a mockery to be playing a T20 tournament when people are suffering so badly.

 

[Last Monetarist]

As I said, the situation is under control here, there aren't people dying in the streets unable to get oxygen or hospital beds. If we were in a situation that India finds itself, I can't imagine sport would be continuing until we had got things in hand. There would be panic and anger everywhere, the national mood wouldn't be conducive to carrying on live sports fixtures until then.

The situation in the UK was pretty grim in January:

https://news.sky.com/story/uk-coronavirus-deaths-pass-100-000-latest-figures-suggest-12199119

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/1/21/appalling-record-uk-covid-deaths-for-second-day-in-a-row

People were not dying in the street, but the prevalence of the disease was at its peak. There was an element of news fatigue which meant that the hysteria was under control. Most of the data (number of active cases, R-number, death rates) pointed towards an acute health crisis at the turn of the year (due to the mutation of the virus).

Football continued on its merry way sans critique.

To be clear, I'm not stating that those calling for the postponement of the IPL are wrong or acting in bad faith. Just trying to clarify that it's attempting to enact a higher standard than what was demanded of sporting authorities in the US, Italy, Germany, and the UK.

 

[Lego20]

Stats:

 

[hitthestump]

Stats:

If you think this is a true reflection then i have some magic beans i want to show you.

 

[Saj]

Is Daniel Christian still in India?

 

[cricketjoshila]

First 3-5 minutes of Hancock's press conference was dedicated to the situation in India and how the UK is doing its bit to help them.

Now when we see the reports we see, listen to the people reporting and those being interviewed than please understand why some of us think it's a mockery to be playing a T20 tournament when people are suffering so badly.

India did its bit to help countries around the world. The world is doing its bit to help India.

How is it related to the IPL?

 

[Buffet]

There's been no little snobbery about the cultural superiority of the west on display by the usual suspects on here, most of it in horrible taste.

You are wasting your time.

 

[Technics 1210]

The Times has a number of reports today that pour water over the claims made by IPL/BJP apologists in this thread.

There is a clear exponential trend in C19 infections/deaths in India, and in sheer terms of numbers, India will break all C19 statistical records set in Western countries.

Essentially, IPL or no IPL, the devastating impact of C19 in India will not alter course.

As The Times put it - India has yet to enter the eye of the storm.

Yes, The Times is behind a paywall.

 

[James]

I don’t see why the IPL can’t be paused for now and resumed later in the year. There would be no particularly insurmountable barriers to this move being taken by the end of the week. Let everyone involved return to their families.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

The situation in the UK was pretty grim in January:

https://news.sky.com/story/uk-coronavirus-deaths-pass-100-000-latest-figures-suggest-12199119

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/1/21/appalling-record-uk-covid-deaths-for-second-day-in-a-row

People were not dying in the street, but the prevalence of the disease was at its peak. There was an element of news fatigue which meant that the hysteria was under control. Most of the data (number of active cases, R-number, death rates) pointed towards an acute health crisis at the turn of the year (due to the mutation of the virus).

Football continued on its merry way sans critique.

To be clear, I'm not stating that those calling for the postponement of the IPL are wrong or acting in bad faith. Just trying to clarify that it's attempting to enact a higher standard than what was demanded of sporting authorities in the US, Italy, Germany, and the UK.

Maybe we are just getting the wrong picture over here about the severity of the situation in India. I don't remember any time in the UK where it was as grim as it appears over there. Even at it's worst there was never a time where hospitals couldn't cope and rich people were buying up beds what beds were available.

 

[James]

The situations are different, because the UK generally possesses the national infrastructure (just about) to cope with even a large spike of Covid, whereas not all areas of India have such ample resources at their disposal — as we have seen in recent days.

 

[Lego20]

Maybe we are just getting the wrong picture over here about the severity of the situation in India. I don't remember any time in the UK where it was as grim as it appears over there. Even at it's worst there was never a time where hospitals couldn't cope and rich people were buying up beds what beds were available.

Media management. Indian media has no curbs. Which country has news reported from within icu wards and crematoriums?

 

[ChTab]

Ending IPL is not the answer, says KKR pacer Pat Cummins as India battles menacing 2nd wave of COVID-19

Shutting down IPL is not the answer even as India is struggling to control the COVID-19-induced health crisis, insisted star pacer Pat Cummins, who donated USD 50,000 towards the fight against the dreaded virus.

There's been a debate whether the IPL should continue when India is facing a severe health crisis as thousands of people are dying of the virus. While a few feel it should not continue, a section believes it was a happy distraction.

"I don't think ending the IPL is the answer," the 27-year-old said in an interview with news channel WION. "We are doing everything we can to make sure we don't take any resources out of the front line. I don't think so (it's the solution).

"Of course there's an aspect that playing every night for three-four hours hopefully contributes to people staying home as it has been a hard routine for them and we can help them get through each day," he said.

Cummins further said looking at the second wave, groups have been formed in Australia to help the country. "People in Australia would also like to help, so we are planning to set up something there to direct the resources to some charity over here," the world number one Test bowler said.

Asked about his decision to donate towards the PM CARES Fund, Cummins said: "Just chatting with a couple of guys here at Kolkata Knight Riders and they have been really generous in their donation to the PM CARES fund over the last year. (Team owner and Bollywood superstar) Shahrukh (Khan) donated (money) himself and that is the way to go."

https://www.timesnownews.com/sports...dia-battles-menacing-2nd-wave-of-covid/750674

 

[Thanos]

Genuine question for the people who think ipl going ahead is a good thing, all this money spent on testing and maintaining a bubble, if it only saved just one life would that be worth cancelling ipl?

It's worth cancelling!

The best way to keep covid cases down is to stay home. But people don't stay at home, no matter how many times govt request them. They can watch Netflix Amazon, movies on OTT but they've control on when to start and stop the movie, so they don't sit in front of TV like everyone does for live sports. Because they can watch movies later.

Now a genuine question to you!!

IPL keeps atleast 7 million (Hotstar only, add DTH and piracy app viewer to that number) at home for 4 hours daily and limits the spread. Even 10 percent of that number ventures out during evening time, imagine the spread count and death because of that.
Now is it worth IPL keep running?

 

[MenInG]

After a few players pulled out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) citing reasons related to the ongoing coronavirus crisis in the country, two umpires have now opted out of the tournament.

Nitin Menon and Australian Paul Reiffel, both part of ICC’s Elite Panel of Umpires, have withdrawn from the IPL due to personal reasons.

Menon flew home to Indore after his mother and wife tested positive for the virus, whereas former Aussie seamer Reiffel went back a few days ago due to anxiety about the Australian government not allowing flights from India.

“Nitin has a small child to look after as his mother and wife have tested positive while Reiffel informed BCCI that he fears not being able to go home due to the Australian government’s decision banning all flights from India. The BCCI already had several local umpires as back-up so they will be officiating in games in which Menon and Reiffel were scheduled to stand,” a BCCI official confirmed to The Indian Express.

The IPL has already witnessed Australian players Andrew Tye, Kane Richardson and Adam Zampa flying back due to the fear of not being able to get home if they stayed longer in India. England player Liam Livingstone pulled out citing ‘bubble fatigue’ while India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin took a break to be with his family, fighting the virus.

Menon and Reiffel are first two match officials to pull out of the league midway. The BCCI was expecting another Australian umpire, Rod Tucker to fly to India for IPL but he too has informed the board that he won’t be making it to the sub-continent due to personal reasons.

On Tuesday, BCCI’s interim chief executive officer Hemang Amin wrote to all eight IPL teams, players, officials, commentators as well as coaching and support staff that the board will arrange smooth transport back home once the tournament gets over. The BCCI advisory came after the Australian government decided to halt all flights from India till May 15.

“We understand that many of you are apprehensive about how you will get back home once the tournament concludes, which is natural and understandable. We want to apprise you that you have nothing to worry about. The BCCI will do everything to ensure that you reach your respective destinations seamlessly. The BCCI is monitoring the situation very closely and is working with the government authorities to make arrangements to get you home once the tournament concludes. Be rest assured that the tournament is not over for BCCI till each one of you has reached your home, safe and sound,” Amin wrote in an email.

Mumbai Indians batsman Chris Lynn had even asked Cricket Australia to charter a flight for players to get back home once the tournament was over. But Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison made it clear that cricketers playing in the IPL will not get any sort of preferential treatment.

“They have travelled there privately. This wasn’t part of an Australian tour. They’re under their own resources and they’ll be using those resources too, I’m sure, to see them return to Australia in accordance with their own arrangements,” Morrison was quoted by The Guardian.

Cricket Australia, on its part, said they were having ‘regular dialogues with players, coaches, match officials and commentators on the ground in India’.

“We will continue to liaise closely with the Australian government following the announcement that direct flights from India to Australia will be paused till May 15…”

https://indianexpress.com/article/s...iffel-latest-to-pull-out-of-ipl-2021-7292913/

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

It's worth cancelling!

The best way to keep covid cases down is to stay home. But people don't stay at home, no matter how many times govt request them. They can watch Netflix Amazon, movies on OTT but they've control on when to start and stop the movie, so they don't sit in front of TV like everyone does for live sports. Because they can watch movies later.

Now a genuine question to you!!

IPL keeps atleast 7 million (Hotstar only, add DTH and piracy app viewer to that number) at home for 4 hours daily and limits the spread. Even 10 percent of that number ventures out during evening time, imagine the spread count and death because of that.
Now is it worth IPL keep running?

That is even more reason to cancel it. It demonstrates that Indians as a people are still not capable of acting with responsibility during a pandemic. By using the excuse that the IPL will keep them at home for 4hrs you are just kicking the can down the road. Postponing the IPL would send a message that the authorities take the virus seriously, and it is high time the nation followed suit.

 

[MenInG]

Australian players might be a bit apprehensive following the suspension of flights from India but Delhi Capitals’ head coach Ricky Ponting said it’s a “small issue” when compared to the chaos triggered by the second wave of COVID-19 infections here.

Australia on Tuesday suspended all direct passenger flights from India until May 15 due to the “very significant” spike in COVID-19 cases in India.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison also made it clear that cricketers competing in the IPL will have to make their “own arrangements” to return home.

“There have been revelations that our government has made as far as Australians in India returning to Australia. No doubt there have been few distractions, but the travel side for us and Australians who are here is only a small issue,” Ponting said in a virtual press conference after his side lost to Royal Challengers Bangalore by one run.

“On daily basis, we are thinking about what’s happening outside and we understand how blessed we are to be doing what we are doing. Hopefully, there are a number of people in India who got enjoyment by watching IPL cricket.”

Three Australian players have exited the tournament amid the escalating health crisis, while Mumbai Indians batsman Chris Lynn requested Cricket Australia to arrange for a chartered flight to take them home after the event is over.

The BCCI has already assured that it will make arrangements for the return of the foreign players once the tournament ends.

A second wave of COVID-19 pandemic has swept India and the country is recording over 3 lakh daily cases for the past few days, leaving the health infrastructure in shambles.

In the wake of the unprecedent health crisis, India and DC spinner Ravichandran Ashwin decided to take a break from the tournament to be with his family.

“It is a really strange feeling amongst our team right now. We are very aware of what’s happening outside and in India at the moment. Obviously, our hearts go out to every single person that’s struggling with COVID-19 in the Indian society,” Ponting said.

“We have had our one player leave as well, Ravichandran Ashwin left to be with his family so that is affecting, we are talking about it more than most teams are.”

On the one-run defeat to RCB, Ponting said, “Our last game went to a Super Over and against RCB, we lost by one run. That can only hold you in good stead when the bigger comes at the backend. We have got three games in four days, we have to take our learnings.

“The team is disappointed but also proud how boys fought. We will not overanalyse.”

DC will next take on Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) here on Thursday.

New Zealand pacer Kyle Jamieson, who was bought by RCB for 15 crore, said he didn’t handle the pressure that comes with a high price tag too well initially.

“I kind of ignored it a little bit in my mind and thought it would be fine, and I tried to focus on things I could control…in the first couple of weeks going through the Australia series we were playing, I didn’t handle the magnitude of the situation as best I could,” he said.

“It (the price tag) certainly isn’t on my mind anymore. Yeah the first month, probably six weeks after the auction were tough and I guess I have learnt from that which will hold me in good stead.”

https://indianexpress.com/article/s...ion-outside-ipl-bubble-ricky-ponting-7292328/

 

[Ahmad-GERMANFC]

Media management. Indian media has no curbs. Which country has news reported from within icu wards and crematoriums?

Almost all reported from outside hospitals tho and I don’t remember seeing several people lying on the grounds gasping for breath as their relatives frantically searched for oxygen cylinders.

 

[Ahmad-GERMANFC]

It's worth cancelling!

The best way to keep covid cases down is to stay home. But people don't stay at home, no matter how many times govt request them. They can watch Netflix Amazon, movies on OTT but they've control on when to start and stop the movie, so they don't sit in front of TV like everyone does for live sports. Because they can watch movies later.

Now a genuine question to you!!

IPL keeps atleast 7 million (Hotstar only, add DTH and piracy app viewer to that number) at home for 4 hours daily and limits the spread. Even 10 percent of that number ventures out during evening time, imagine the spread count and death because of that.
Now is it worth IPL keep running?

Wouldn’t this still be the case if it was being held in Dubai?

 

[Lego20]

Almost all reported from outside hospitals tho and I don’t remember seeing several people lying on the grounds gasping for breath as their relatives frantically searched for oxygen cylinders.

Cant compare:
- ratio of doctors in India is 0.8/1000 vs 2.9/1000 (UK)
- thew new variant is effecting even younger people (as old as 1 year).
- it is requiring more people to need hospitalization
- it is requiring 30% more people to need oxygen and ventilators.
Add up all of the above.

Ivory towers are nice to sit, comment, express ridicule and disparaging outrage. Empathy and understanding is less common.

 

[Lego20]

^ did not mention differences in hospital infra

 

[Ahmad-GERMANFC]

Cant compare:
- ratio of doctors in India is 0.8/1000 vs 2.9/1000 (UK)
- thew new variant is effecting even younger people (as old as 1 year).
- it is requiring more people to need hospitalization
- it is requiring 30% more people to need oxygen and ventilators.
Add up all of the above.

Ivory towers are nice to sit, comment, express ridicule and disparaging outrage. Empathy and understanding is less common.

No ones disparaging or ridiculing. Sorry if that’s how it came across

My question is what will be the issue if it was held in UAE like last year

Anyways I agree it’s last of India’s worries right now

 

[CrIc_Mystique]

The Gavaskar who tried to force his son into national side just like Sachin cozing with Jio Ambani lobby for his son....LOL..

totally unwanted equivalence and illogical....

Its also that same Gavaskar who faced some of the quickest bowlers that played the game, without a helmet on uncovered wickets (at least till 1976) and scored the max runs in his time, something I highly doubt u or most others have so save the 'LOL' for something worth it.
And whilst at it pleaz provide SOLID proof of 'tyring to force his son in national side' if that was the case his son would have played at least 50 tests/odi etc.

 

[CrIc_Mystique]

Wouldn’t this still be the case if it was being held in Dubai?

Hmm...a valid point bro....
I feel this will eventually happen looking at the scenario unfolding ....

 

[CrIc_Mystique]

Genuine question for the people who think ipl going ahead is a good thing, all this money spent on testing and maintaining a bubble, if it only saved just one life would that be worth cancelling ipl?

If it was in my hands and if it was proven to save one life, I would cancel it without hesitation.
However, lets say it was cancelled today. Will the narrative on pp change ? No it wont, the continued bagging of the IPL, BCCI etc will be relentless.
That said I am not a fan of IPL or BCCI and I'd rather watch intl cricket.
Its still not proven that IPL is responsible/directly contributing to case number increase.
On the contrary, makes a lot of back sides reside on seats at least for the 3-4 hours which does its bit...
If we cancel the IPL, will the virus go away?
End of the day - its dammed if u do, dammed if u don't....

 

[Napa]

There's been no little snobbery about the cultural superiority of the west on display by the usual suspects on here, most of it in horrible taste. I wondered whether it was backed by actual data, I found the following:

United StatesView attachment 108880

Daily deaths from the coronavirus in the United States peaked on the 12th of January with 4,490 deaths. There were 6 NBA games played on that day (https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/index.cgi?month=1&day=12&year=2021).

Italy
View attachment 108881

Daily deaths from the coronavirus in Italy peaked on the 3rd of December with 993 deaths. There was a full round of Europa League fixtures played on that day, with 3 Italian sides competing. Two of those, Milan and Roma, played at home. (https://www.skysports.com/football/fixtures-results/3-December-2020)

United Kingdom
View attachment 108882

Daily deaths from the coronavirus in the UK peaked on the 20th of January with 1,823 deaths. There were 2 fixtures in the premier league, 6 in the championship, and 1 in the SPL played on that day. (https://www.skysports.com/football/fixtures-results/20-January-2021)

Germany
View attachment 108883

Daily deaths from the coronavirus in Germany peaked on the 29th of December 1,244 deaths. However, this daily peak fell during the Bundesliga's winter break which ended on the 8th of January, when Bayern were away to Borussia Mönchengladbach (https://www.skysports.com/football/fixtures-results/8-January-2021). The total number of deaths on that day were 1,143.

Don't get me wrong, it's a horrible situation in India right now, but the moralizing about how it's a cultural failing is squalid and detestable.

Your stats show sports continued during high death rates in both Europe and the States during the second lockdown and this of course is true.

However the difference is that, and based on what we're seeing here on the news channels and reading about in the newspapers, people are dying on the streets and there are not enough hospital beds or ventilators.

If you can show that the current situation in India is the same then I will be the first western asian to put my hands up and apologise and call out the western nations for continuing with sports during such hardship.

This is an odd argument. IPL is not the cause of "people dying in the streets", nor will stopping it cause the number of new infections to decline. In fact, continuing the IPL results in people staying home to watch the games rather than going out of their homes and thus reduces the number of new infections.

Also, in trying times like this many people see the IPL as a success story in overcoming the pandemic, the idea that the virus can be defeated by following hygiene guidelines.

 

[King-Misbah]

Many foreign players are now stuck especially the Australians. They may aswel stay safe as possible and get on with it. I am sure if they knew the severity of the situation a week ago, they would have flown back.

 

[Napa]

Many foreign players are now stuck especially the Australians. They may aswel stay safe as possible and get on with it. I am sure if they knew the severity of the situation a week ago, they would have flown back.

I think players like Cummins, Smith, Warner and Maxwell have too much character and courage to turn tail and run away from a virus which has a death rate of less than 0.1% for their demographic.

 

[gazza619]

I am someone who thinks IPL should be stopped on moral grounds but on second thought believe it's keeping people at home and reducing the spread.
Now if you say there are other ways for entertainment like Netflix, Amazon, movies etc. Well you can't control start/stop of live matches but with movies on OTT, you can always decide when to watch. If people were that deciplined in staying at home and watching movies, we wouldn't be in the situation we are now.
There something about live matches that it makes you sit in front of tv and watch.

Let me share my personal experience -
I live in society of ~175 flats and we had almost 25 flats with corona cases few days ago. And numbers were just increasing. Society committee decided to put few rules and restrictions and one rule is 'No walk in the park/premise in evening is allowed'.
No matter how hard we committee members tried, people still came for evening walk and childrens playing in play area without distancing and all. And you can't just put lock on door of someone's flat.
IPL started and we noticed sudden decrease in people coming for evening walk. Specially male residents and childrens. Female residents can still be seen as they are more concerned about their weight than corona (facepalm).
Right now we've 7 active cases in our society in 4 flats compared to 25 flats earlier.

I am not saying it came down only because of IPL but definitely it's one of the reason.

Millions of Indians watch live IPL and they don't venture out for 4 hours. On average I see 6-7 millions watching only on Hotstar. Add DTH and piracy app viewers to that.
These millions of people staying at home for 4hours of IPL simply outnumbers any possible impact of IPL test kits if used for public.

I hear what you are saying. And then its the same people who blame the govt for failing to control the spread.

I feel in countries like India and Pakistan you need a long wide stick as a deterrent to force people to do the right thing. Laton ke bhoot bataon se nahin mantay.

 

[Thanos]

Wouldn’t this still be the case if it was being held in Dubai?

Valid.
I actually never wanted IPL21 to happen in India. The population and careless attitude will always be problem for it happening without any hiccups. (Just like PSL)

In fact I personally feel IPL in India will never be a good idea till the time corona is in world. Be it 10-20 years. It should be played in UAE or UK or wherever situation is better. Because no matter how air tight bio bubble is, it's not worth taking the risk.

But it's midway and can't be shifted to other country overnight. Hence I feel if it's keeping people at home and limiting the spread, let it continue as long as possible.

 

[CrIc_Mystique]

Sorry I would bet many many fans would love international matches over this mickey mouse masala leagues.....esp true cricket fans....

As an indian, that's one pooint I agree with u, international cricket any day over league.
IPL time is my detox from cricket, I would only watch IPL to check out any new good player eg Devdatt Padikall, any new paceman etc , wodnt spoil mysleep over Brisbane bagsnatchers play Punjab pickpockets.
However, cancelling the IPL will not magically procurre hospitals with beds to the needy, etc ...
And for some posters claiming we are 'begging' for oxygen etc....we also supplied over half of the world with Vaccines.
Free of cost.
Its a true humanitarian crises and I agree on the under reporting etc, we shall come out of this crises as we overcame every crisis be it medical or invasions thru the centuries.

 

[MenInG]

Chennai Super Kings beat bottom side Sunrisers Hyderabad to go top of the IPL on Wednesday as the big-money tournament staged its first game in India's coronavirus stricken capital.

Scores of police guarded the barricaded gates around the Feroz Shah Kotla ground in Dehli during the match which Chennai won by seven wickets in 18.3 overs.

Normally the stadium would be packed with 40,000 people for major cricket games.

But with Delhi accounting for more than a tenth of the 3,200 coronavirus deaths recorded across India each day, the city has been put under a night curfew and tough, daytime restrictions.

Only a handful of people were on the darkened streets around the stadium, kept empty as all IPL games have been this year.

Fans could only watch on television as Chennai raced past Sunrisers' 171 for four, with Ruturaj Gaikwad hitting 75 off 44 balls and his fellow opener Faf du Plessis 56 off 38.

As the crisis grows, TV coverage is now regularly interrupted with appeals by commentators and pundits such as former Australian bowler Brett Lee and England spinner Graeme Swann for viewers to stay home and wear masks.

Lee has donated more than $50,000 to a fund to buy oxygen supplies for Indian hospitals. "It saddens me deeply to see people suffering due to the ongoing pandemic," he said.

The IPL players are being moved around Indian cities in full PPE hazard suits with face masks. They are now tested every two days and cannot even order food from outside their bio-bubble hotels.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India has assured the players that they are "totally safe" but three Australians have left the IPL and many of the foreigners who remain say they are nervous.

"We are constantly talking about this situation that's unfolding outside of our bubble," said England and Kolkata Knight Riders captain Eoin Morgan this week.

"It's not nice to be honest, watching from afar, certainly considering how lucky we are to be in a bubble and not be affected by it very much."

The IPL bubbles will remain tightly sealed around the players for the rest of the tournament which ends on May 30.

Inside the empty stadium, Australia's David Warner went past 10,000 Twenty20 runs with his 57 for the Sunrisers.

Manish Pandey hit 61 and Kane Williamson and Kedhar Jadhav added 33 in the final 12 balls to boost the Hyderabad total.

Chennai were always ahead of the target however. Du Plessis' quickfire innings made him the IPL's leading scorer this year with 260 runs from six matches.

Chennai lead the eight-team table with five wins from six games and a better net run-rate than Virat Kolhi's Royal Challengers Bangalore in second.

The same empty stadium will host reigning champions the Mumbai Indians against Rajasthan Royals on Thursday for Delhi's second game.

https://www.france24.com/en/live-ne...m-as-ipl-arrives-in-india-s-virus-hit-capital

 

[happydavy]

There is something vulgar about IPL this year, and as you could realize from my earlier posts, my own views have changed in the last 10-12 days. First of all, to say IPL is being played to provide relief and joy to people is just plain **. It is being played because players, organizers, owners want to make money and there is nothing more or less to it. To call your entertainment as a sacrifice shows the shallowness of people saying it. Secondly, i don't like the idea of few friends and families sitting in stands and jumping with joy on every four or six, it looks cheap on many accounts including some privileged people able to go to stands while the rest of the city is struggling with oxygen and lockdown. Finally, the fact that the movement of these ultra special players and their families including wives and toddlers who all now want to travel with their husbands, drains state resources which could be used somewhere else. It is cheap and insensitive to play a match in firoz shah kotla stadium in Delhi and consume state resources including cops, medical staff and ambulances (2 ambulances are there for every match), when any of these resources could save a few lives 100 metres down the street. The lease these people could do is to broadcast the match as it without those fake voices in the background, there is no reason for artificial exuberance on the TV screen, when the mood overall is so sombre.

 

[MenInG]

Australian umpire Paul Reiffel was 10 minutes away from leaving the Indian Premier League’s biosecure bubble on Wednesday when he learned his passage out of India had been shut on him.

Worried he would be left stranded by the worsening situation in the coronavirus-ravaged nation, the former Test seamer decided early this week to cut short his stint officiating in the IPL and fly home while he had the chance.

The tidal wave of COVID-19 sweeping over India is causing up to 115 deaths every hour and until foreign assistance arrives, the situation is only expected to only get worse.

He had his bags packed and tickets booked for a flight to Sydney from Doha - only to be told he would have to stay.

“I tried to, but the flight through Doha, I wasn’t able to go through as an Australian,” Reiffel told the Herald and The Age on Thursday from his hotel in Ahmedabad.

“They shut the avenue off. I know a couple of the guys got back that way through there, but the avenue was closed so I had to stay. Yesterday I was booked to go, but it got cancelled. I thought I’d take the opportunity when I could, because you don’t know what’s going to happen later on.”

Reiffel, whose Indian colleague Nitin Menon has pulled out due to personal reasons, will now serve out the remainder of the competition and return home with the remaining 40-strong Australian contingent after the tournament finishes on May 30. Australian players Kane Richardson and Adam Zampa were due to land in Melbourne on Thursday after quitting the IPL.

The situation for Reiffel, a father of three, would have been worse had he left his hotel before finding out the change in travel plans. This would have resulted in him requiring to complete a period of self-isolation in order to be able to complete the tournament.

“I was 10 minutes away from leaving the bubble, so I’m very lucky,” Reiffel said.

Even though the situation in India was not as bleak when he accepted the Indian board’s offer to umpire in the IPL, Reiffel knew of the risks of being abroad during a global health crisis - but said he could not knock back the work.

Unlike the players, some of whom are paid millions for just under two months’ work, umpires cannot command such fees.

A member of the International Cricket Council’s elite panel of umpires, Reiffel would normally be travelling the world officiating in international fixtures, but the opportunities have dried up since the onset of the pandemic last year.

He took part in last year’s IPL in the UAE and stood in Australia’s home summer, but was unlikely to umpire another game until next season due to the difficulties with travelling.

“It’s how I make a living. In these COVID times I haven’t umpired a lot so any opportunity to get some work, you take it,” Reiffel said.

“You know any travel can end up any which way. It’s how I make a living. To knock back work, you just can’t afford to. You have to look at everything and try and weigh it up. When I accepted and it all started, it was a very different landscape.

“It escalated pretty quickly but that’s what happens with COVID. It happens quickly and a lot of the times you can’t see it happening.”

Though Reiffel now faces a nervous wait to see if he will be able to return home, he feels safe inside the IPL bubble at a five-star hotel which was shielding players and officials from the “real world”.

“It’s a whole lot more quiet than usual, it’s a bit unusual for India,” Reiffel said. “There’s still people about but it’s very quiet, there’s a lot of people at home. It’s hard to tell what life’s like. It’s just the hotel and cricket.

“I have read a lot of people have different opinions but cricket in India is such a massive thing. For it to be suspended would be such a massive thing to do over here. They’re keeping it going - a lot of people are enjoying it.”

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/cri...rted-in-bid-to-leave-ipl-20210429-p57njh.html

 

[Varun]

The IPL final is on 30 May.

It'll be a minor miracle if we go from today to there without any incident, but even so there are other things to worry about before and after.

 

[OMB]

That is even more reason to cancel it. It demonstrates that Indians as a people are still not capable of acting with responsibility during a pandemic. By using the excuse that the IPL will keep them at home for 4hrs you are just kicking the can down the road. Postponing the IPL would send a message that the authorities take the virus seriously, and it is high time the nation followed suit.

On a threat scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the highest threat, cancelling IPL will be -1. Sending this signal will have zilch effect on the idiots who are busy conducting weddings and election rallies or private parties.

 

[the Great Khan]

Even Indias biggest supporter in the West , the BBC, is saying that there is pressure to postpone it. i Doubt they will..money talks and people are just numbrs in India and Pakistan.

 

[silentkiller187]

The fact is too many rich Indians have vested stakes in the ipl. These same individuals provide vital donors support etc to the government. Therefore ipl won’t be cancelled as theirs too much money at stake, that is the only reason it’s still going not because it keeps people at home for 4 hoursproviding relief as some posters keep mentioning. what about the other 20 hours in a day? If it was a moral decision ipl would be cancelled immediately.

 

[MRSN]

Think it becomes very difficult as a sportsman to see people falling like flies and play cricket. The passion is not there. I just feel it is being forced on all players. They are playing just because they don't have any options.

 

[Firebat]

Match referee Manu Nayyar bereaved, leaves Indian Premier League bio-bubble

Match referee Manu Nayyar left the Indian Premier League (IPL) bio-bubble in Ahmedabad on Thursday following the death of his mother.

Nayyar had last officiated in Tuesday's match between Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bangalore which the latter won by a slender margin of one run at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Motera.

The former Delhi Ranji Trophy player, who had officiated in the Mumbai leg of IPL matches before being assigned for the Ahmedabad leg, reached Delhi on Thursday to be with his family.

As per the rules of the IPL bio-bubble, anyone going out of it will have to quarantine again before re-entering it again.

It is believed Nayyar's mother died in her sleep since she couldn't wake up in the morning.

Earlier, umpire Nitin Menon left the IPL to return home in Indore as his immediately family members are down with Covid-19. Menon's mother and wife are unwell and have tested positive. His mother has been admitted to a hospital in Indore.

"His mother, wife are down with Covid-19. His mother has been admitted to a hospital in Indore. His father is unwell too and is also suspected to have Covid-19. He has a small child, around four or five years of age, so it was important for him to return and tend to family," an official told IANS.

It has been learnt that Menon, who has reached Indore, could return to IPL after his family makes progress.

Australian umpire Paul Reiffel too had decided to pull out. However, he was 10 minutes away from leaving the IPL bio-bubble before he learnt that flights to Australia via Doha too have been cancelled. He may now have to leave the country after the end of the IPL along with the remaining Australian players and members of coaching staff.

https://www.timesnownews.com/sports...eaves-indian-premier-league-bio-bubble/750980

 

[Thanos]

The fact is too many rich Indians have vested stakes in the ipl. These same individuals provide vital donors support etc to the government. Therefore ipl won’t be cancelled as theirs too much money at stake, that is the only reason it’s still going not because it keeps people at home for 4 hoursproviding relief as some posters keep mentioning. what about the other 20 hours in a day? If it was a moral decision ipl would be cancelled immediately.

I believe you are referring to me by "4 hours releif" sentence. If not then you can simply deny that.

I stand by my assessment because I've noticed the same in atleast my society and societies near by.
And fyi IPL starts at 7:30pm and runs till midnight.
A time window when everyone comes out after a heating summer day. So you can continue calculating remaining 20 hours ignoring the fact that most people sleep at night, so that makes12 hours from 7:30 pm to 7:30 am in morning when IPL viewers dont venture out. On top of that add 4 hours of extreme heating days of summer when people stay at home mostly.
Those 4-4:30 hours of IPL makes a lot of difference, unless you are more interested in cancelling IPL and looking for more surge in cases.

About the money part where you think it's running only for money. I've different opinion. It's running because they are in a situation where cancelling IPL won't benefit anyone. It wouldn't be planned in India if this situation was encountered last year on this large scale. I am sure no IPL is happening in India for next few years. Add WT20 also to that venue shift list. Unless corona is gone which I doubt.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Even Indias biggest supporter in the West , the BBC, is saying that there is pressure to postpone it. i Doubt they will..money talks and people are just numbrs in India and Pakistan.

Bbc is anti India. Lol. They were banned in India for breaking rules.

 

[HitWicket]

Bbc is anti India. Lol. They were banned in India for breaking rules.

Slightly misleading statement, the Indian government only carried out state censorship on 1 BBC documentary because they didn't like that it was about the 2012 Delhi gang-rape/murder case on the grounds of it being 'objectionable content' (and tried to censor it globally). The BBC produce numerous global documentaries on a range of content, just because they produced a factual one that the Indian government didn't like doesn't make them 'anti-India'.

 

[hitthestump]

Match referee Manu Nayyar bereaved, leaves Indian Premier League bio-bubble

Match referee Manu Nayyar left the Indian Premier League (IPL) bio-bubble in Ahmedabad on Thursday following the death of his mother.

Nayyar had last officiated in Tuesday's match between Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bangalore which the latter won by a slender margin of one run at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Motera.

The former Delhi Ranji Trophy player, who had officiated in the Mumbai leg of IPL matches before being assigned for the Ahmedabad leg, reached Delhi on Thursday to be with his family.

As per the rules of the IPL bio-bubble, anyone going out of it will have to quarantine again before re-entering it again.

It is believed Nayyar's mother died in her sleep since she couldn't wake up in the morning.

Earlier, umpire Nitin Menon left the IPL to return home in Indore as his immediately family members are down with Covid-19. Menon's mother and wife are unwell and have tested positive. His mother has been admitted to a hospital in Indore.

"His mother, wife are down with Covid-19. His mother has been admitted to a hospital in Indore. His father is unwell too and is also suspected to have Covid-19. He has a small child, around four or five years of age, so it was important for him to return and tend to family," an official told IANS.

It has been learnt that Menon, who has reached Indore, could return to IPL after his family makes progress.

Australian umpire Paul Reiffel too had decided to pull out. However, he was 10 minutes away from leaving the IPL bio-bubble before he learnt that flights to Australia via Doha too have been cancelled. He may now have to leave the country after the end of the IPL along with the remaining Australian players and members of coaching staff.

https://www.timesnownews.com/sports...eaves-indian-premier-league-bio-bubble/750980

This is getting really harrowing. Is there literally nobody with a conscience in the upper echolons of Indian society who can step in and temporarily stop IPL from running alongside a time of national crisis? People need to be with their families, people need to feel safe, and most importantly those tests reserved for IPL players need to be available to literally anyone else.

 

[Ahmad-GERMANFC]

Match referee Manu Nayyar bereaved, leaves Indian Premier League bio-bubble

Match referee Manu Nayyar left the Indian Premier League (IPL) bio-bubble in Ahmedabad on Thursday following the death of his mother.

Nayyar had last officiated in Tuesday's match between Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bangalore which the latter won by a slender margin of one run at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Motera.

The former Delhi Ranji Trophy player, who had officiated in the Mumbai leg of IPL matches before being assigned for the Ahmedabad leg, reached Delhi on Thursday to be with his family.

As per the rules of the IPL bio-bubble, anyone going out of it will have to quarantine again before re-entering it again.

It is believed Nayyar's mother died in her sleep since she couldn't wake up in the morning.

Earlier, umpire Nitin Menon left the IPL to return home in Indore as his immediately family members are down with Covid-19. Menon's mother and wife are unwell and have tested positive. His mother has been admitted to a hospital in Indore.

"His mother, wife are down with Covid-19. His mother has been admitted to a hospital in Indore. His father is unwell too and is also suspected to have Covid-19. He has a small child, around four or five years of age, so it was important for him to return and tend to family," an official told IANS.

It has been learnt that Menon, who has reached Indore, could return to IPL after his family makes progress.

Australian umpire Paul Reiffel too had decided to pull out. However, he was 10 minutes away from leaving the IPL bio-bubble before he learnt that flights to Australia via Doha too have been cancelled. He may now have to leave the country after the end of the IPL along with the remaining Australian players and members of coaching staff.

https://www.timesnownews.com/sports...eaves-indian-premier-league-bio-bubble/750980

This is bound to happen.

Local players without international pedigree aren’t from well off backgrounds and price lags so their family members are bound to be contracting this at a greater scale. So they definitely will be on the edge

 

[Lego20]

Slightly misleading statement, the Indian government only carried out state censorship on 1 BBC documentary because they didn't like that it was about the 2012 Delhi gang-rape/murder case on the grounds of it being 'objectionable content' (and tried to censor it globally). The BBC produce numerous global documentaries on a range of content, just because they produced a factual one that the Indian government didn't like doesn't make them 'anti-India'.

In this age, if you think any western media (most of them), organizations (UN, UNSC, WTO, NSG, WB etc), international NGOs are completely fair (due to their political bias or external funding) or objective (due to their western thinking/view), then that would be very naive. Dont take it at face value.

The way these documentaries are made is to express incite and outrage in fragile 3rd world countries with outrageous visuals, confirmatory language and selective/biased editing. Compare the documentaries for 3rd world and western events:
1. George Floyd
2. US capitol seize
3. etc.
You will see the difference in tone and intent.

 

[MenInG]

Why is the IPL playing on amid COVID-19 crisis? ‘Humanity’, of course


If you’re wondering why the Indian Premier League is persevering while COVID-19 runs out of control in the country, and why around 40 Australians are pressing on with playing, coaching and commentating there, perhaps you’ll be convinced by an email sent to teams from the acting chief executive of the BCCI this week.

“When you walk out onto the field, you are bringing hope to millions of people who have tuned in,” wrote Hemang Amin. “If, even for a minute, you can bring a smile to someone’s face then you have done well. While you are professionals and will play to win, this time you are also playing for something much more important – humanity.”

Ah, humanity. It’s like motherhood, hard to argue against, really. But let’s at least ask a few questions.

Isn’t it just a bit weird to be conducting a sporting competition at all in a country designated as a red zone? The COVID-19 crisis in Australia was never nearly as acute as it is in India right now, but we shut down all sport and somehow bumbled through.

Yeah, but ... humanity.

Doesn’t it jar to see images of cricketers flying from one venue to another so swaddled in PPE that they look like mummies?

Isn’t it obvious that in a country as stricken as India, every last bodysuit, mask and bottle of oxygen should be dedicated to the already unequal fight against COVID-19? Isn’t it bizarre that as Australia prepares to ship off boatloads of gear to India, India is putting a bit aside for cricketers? It mightn’t be much, but should it be any?

Well, yes, because humanity.

Isn’t it odd that, for this league to proceed, the players are sealed away in so-called bubbles, subject to onerous conditions that now will be further tightened? Bubbles that in any case make some players nervous about their bio-security?

Yeah, but, you know ... humanity.

Doesn’t it strike you as perverse that cricketers who have spent most of the last 12 months in bubbles, and by the end of the Australian summer were going stir-crazy in them, should wall themselves in again for a couple more months in their spare time?

Ah, but don’t forget about humanity.

Does it not further strike you as odd that cricketers should isolate themselves in this way, with only one another and the demons in their minds for company, at a time when mental health sits near the top of the cricket agenda?

Humanity. Humanity. How many times do I have to say it?

Should we not pay attention to the canaries in the coal mine? Three Australians are scrambling for home, an Englishman has absconded, citing bubble fatigue, and an Indian Test star also has put family first. Isn’t it obvious that all sports should think twice about carrying on as if this is business as usual? Not even business is carrying on as if this is business as usual.

Geez. Aren’t you listening? Hu-man-it-y.

What about the look? Tens of thousands of Australians are stranded overseas, thousands in India, awaiting flights home. Flights from India are suspended at least until May 15, which will lengthen the waiting time. Yet at least one Australian cricketer is agitating for Cricket Australia to lay on a charter flight home at the end of the IPL.

No one would wish a longer exile on any Australia abroad, cricketer or non-cricketer. But a charter flight for cricketers would look like privilege.

Well, they are doing it for humanity.

Yes, Pat Cummins did donate $50,000 donation to the fight against COVID-19. Brett Lee followed suit. These generous gestures doubtlessly were appreciated. But they raise an awkward question. If individual cricketers can kick in this way, why can’t the game as a whole? If the IPL must proceed, why not donate all prizemoney to the COVID cause?

Better still, why not call off the whole vulgar exercise and divert all of Indian cricket’s vast resources to the catastrophe laying on its doorstep? There’s a bit of money kicking around in Indian cricket, you know.

Over to you, the great humanitarians of the BCCI. “While you go about playing the sport we all love, you are also doing something really important,” said the CEO. “If we can help distract people from all the troubles of recent times, even if it is for a short while, we have done a great job.”

Troubles? Mere troubles? Distraction? Hope to millions? A great job?

Quick, look over there: humanity.

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricke...rus-crisis-but-should-it-20210428-p57n62.html

 

[cricketjoshila]

Slightly misleading statement, the Indian government only carried out state censorship on 1 BBC documentary because they didn't like that it was about the 2012 Delhi gang-rape/murder case on the grounds of it being 'objectionable content' (and tried to censor it globally). The BBC produce numerous global documentaries on a range of content, just because they produced a factual one that the Indian government didn't like doesn't make them 'anti-India'.

No. They have been banned a few times.

https://www.google.co.in/amp/s/www....ntation/story-0QSycy3tofMZ3EXGIK721O_amp.html

 

[Last Monetarist]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Rajasthan Royals announce a contribution of over $1 milion from their owners, players and management to help with immediate support to those impacted by COVID-19. This will be implemented through <a href="https://twitter.com/RoyalRajasthanF?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RoyalRajasthanF</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/britishasiantst?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@britishasiantst</a>.<br><br>Complete details &#55357;&#56391;<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RoyalsFamily?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RoyalsFamily</a></p>— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) <a href="https://twitter.com/rajasthanroyals/status/1387703407444590593?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 29, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Saj]

The reality is that most of the respective Boards would have got their players out of a country badly affected by Covid-19 a long time ago. But because it's the BCCI and the IPL, they are reluctant to do that as in the long run it might hurt their pockets.

If this was Pakistan and the PSL none of these foreign players would still be playing in the tournament.

I am very surprised that the tournament is still being played.

 

[IMMY69]

The reality is that most of the respective Boards would have got their players out of a country badly affected by Covid-19 a long time ago. But because it's the BCCI and the IPL, they are reluctant to do that as in the long run it might hurt their pockets.

If this was Pakistan and the PSL none of these foreign players would still be playing in the tournament.

I am very surprised that the tournament is still being played.

When you see some of the posters here calling it western propaganda etc does it make you wonder maybe the players in the bubble are fed the same stuff?

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

Millions of reasons why the IPL needs to rethink priorities


How many of us can watch the IPL without revulsion and guilt? Revulsion, at the insensitivity of continuing with a tournament amidst the pain and suffering in the country. And guilt at contributing, in whatever measure, to its profits by watching it on television.

It is easy to confuse IPL with sports, but it is in fact a highly leveraged television serial ideal for selling products where people happen to play a version of a popular game. And television is unlikely to put its golden goose to sleep. There is another month to go — a month when there will be more cases, more deaths and greater anxiety, all matched by the triumphalism and crassness of the tournament being played in a bubble — in more senses than one. What price the 78-metre six or the fast yorker that hits middle stump when around you people are dying in horrific ways and hope is being sucked out of so many lives?

Meaningless activity


Sport is essentially a meaningless activity which we infuse with significance in normal times. Its artificiality allows us to pour into it the highest qualities we aspire to as human beings: compassion, honesty, fair-mindedness, kindness, respect, empathy, charity, everything that elevates us. But when it displays instead selfishness, indifference, and a lack of concern for the suffering of others, then it is no longer sport, but something that diminishes us.

Public celebration (admittedly in near-empty stadiums), pointless statistics and excited commentary make it all so surreal. Even the ‘official’ figures of the dead and suffering in India are frightening. Over a million people are affected every three days. These are now widely believed to be grossly under-counted. To adapt what Bob Dylan said all those years ago: How many deaths will it take till they know that too many people have died?

Hospitals are overcrowded, crematoriums too; there is a national medical emergency, yet ‘maximums’ are being hit on the cricket fields. There is something repugnant about this.

Teams have arrived in the Capital — surely someone noticed during the drive from the airport that things aren’t normal? That the smoke rising in the distance is not announcing the election of a new pontiff, but the desperation of citizens?

Distraction


The yea-sayers will insist the IPL is a distraction in troubled times. Yes it is a distraction — from the ineptitude of the authorities who hope that if they close their eyes long enough, the situation will get better. In any case, neither the three-and-a-half lakh people who contract the virus daily nor their struggling families are likely to be interested how many deliveries Virat Kohli took for his latest fifty. Football, said the coach Bill Shankly, is not a matter of life and death, it is more serious. The IPL sees itself as more serious too.

A friend sent me this prediction recently: “After playing on and being absolutely silent through the suffering, once the IPL is done, the players and managements will talk of how their heart bleeds and how they will now generously open their purses, via a collective cheque handed over to PM and his fund by Ganguly (since Jay Shah will be too obvious), the pictures being discussed for hours on end in sections of the media, followed by tweets from Sachin, Virat, et al.”

The Australian Pat Cummins became the first player known to make a donation, with 50,000 dollars towards oxygen supplies to hospitals in India. “I encourage my fellow IPL players to contribute,” he tweeted. It will be interesting to see how many will.

Its own insurance

Some players, most recently India’s R. Ashwin, have pulled out, citing personal reasons. The Board of Control for Cricket in India does not see the IPL as a mere cricket tournament. It is a weapon to hold over the heads of players and other cricket boards. Displease the BCCI and there goes your income for the cricketing year! However much individual boards might like to recall their players during the crisis, it is unlikely any of them will do so. The players are only too aware which side their bread is buttered on, and grateful they can earn significant amounts of money when many avenues have dried up. The IPL is its own insurance.

Perhaps if players like Kohli and Rohit Sharma decided to withdraw, there might be a cascading effect. But not everyone would want to take on the BCCI, so perhaps not.

The IPL has its place in the scheme of things. In normal times, you have the option of turning off the TV if you don’t fancy it. But it’s different now. Turning off the TV will not turn off the feeling of the inappropriateness of its rude health and larger-than-life images being beamed across homes in India when the country is struggling with both health and life.

https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/co...eds-to-rethink-priorities/article34425149.ece

 

[par]

TV serials are still being telecasted. There are still movie channels on the air. Sweets and chocolates are still being sold. And flowers, clothes, colas and what not. Only yesterday elections with big rallies with no masks came to an end in parts of India.

But people want only IPL to be stopped.

 

[OMB]

'Outsiders' Gary Lineker, Piers Morgan Irk Indian Fans For Demanding IPL 2021 Cancellation

As the coronavirus pandemic in India continues to worsen, Indian fans are becoming increasingly worried about whether IPL 2021 will continue or not. According to reports, India recorded over 3.79 lakh cases in the past 24 hours. As a result, Gary Lineker and Piers Morgan have called for the cancellation of the marquee tournament. In response, fans slammed these 'outsiders' for indulging in Indian affairs.

Is IPL 2021 cancelled? Gary Lineker and Piers Morgan demand cancellation
The cricketing fraternity is increasingly divided on the issue of whether the IPL should be cancelled or not amid the rising coronavirus cases in India. Several former cricketers have urged the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to cancel the event and also ban all sporting activity until the Covid-19 situation in India improves. The increasing angst about the IPL has also prompted foreign journalists to voice their concerns about the IPL.

Gary Lineker, a former English footballer and current sports broadcaster, was shocked to see the IPL continue considering the number of people that were dying as a result of the Covid outbreak. Lineker wrote:

I love the @IPL as much as any cricket fan, but it seems so terribly wrong for it to continue given the Covid catastrophe that’s currently occurring in India. People are dying faster than runs are being scored for crying out loud.
— Gary Lineker

While Lineker's response seemed more of a request to the Indian authorities to cancel the event, Morgan directly targetted India's leadership. Morgan held Prime Minister Narendra Modi responsible for the increasing Covid woes and criticised his 'irresponsible leadership.' His tweet can be seen below.

The Indian Premier League should not continue given the horrific Covid crisis in India due to Prime Minister [MENTION=140582]Naren[/MENTION]dramodi's woefully irresponsible leadership. The country's sole focus should be on the raging pandemic. Cricket is irrelevant.
— Piers Morgan


Fans slam 'outsiders' Gary Lineker and Piers Morgan for demanding IPL 2021 cancellation

With fans having little to do while staying at home, several were extremely upset that outsiders would indulge in the affairs of their country and demand the cancellation of their favourite tournament. The IPL 2021 is a common distraction amongst fans and also encourages them to stay at home in these difficult times. John Etheridge, a sports correspondent, responded to Lineker as he wrote:

Tend to agree but one theory is cricket distracts people for 4 hours a day, encouraging them to stay indoors rather than catch or spread the virus. Also, on-screen messages tell viewers to wear masks, social distance and wash hands while TV comms urge people not to leave home.
— John Etheridge

Similarly, another fan wrote:
Indian Premier League is actually helping millions of Indians to stay at home and watch the games from home. It’s being played behind the closed doors. All players and everyone involved are testing daily and it has not led to any infection rates hike. @IPL

— The Political Rants (@vinod_d007) April 26, 2021
With Piers Morgan questioning India's leadership, Indian fans were unimpressed and gave an equally befitting response. One fan for example wrote:
Stay in your lane, Piers. We will fight our battles. When it comes to the crises we are there to support each other. It is easy to blame the PM when the entire country had developed a sense of complacency since the turn of the year.
— sriharsha joshyula

I am sure you have your views but questioning his leadership is not right at this juncture. As an Indian; I take this as an offence!
— D Navaneeth Kumar (@navaneeth_9) April 26, 2021


Mate... Your tweet is so so irresponsible and devoid of knowledge about things in India.
— Ricky Jana


https://www.republicworld.com/sports-news/cricket-news/outsiders-gary-linekar-piers-morgan-irk-indian-fans-for-demanding-ipl-2021-cancellation.html

 

[cricketjoshila]

The reality is that most of the respective Boards would have got their players out of a country badly affected by Covid-19 a long time ago. But because it's the BCCI and the IPL, they are reluctant to do that as in the long run it might hurt their pockets.

If this was Pakistan and the PSL none of these foreign players would still be playing in the tournament.

I am very surprised that the tournament is still being played.

May be because BCCI can maintain the bubble. Hire charter planes and do everything thats humanely or financially possible to keep the players safe.

I don't think any board has much confidence on the competency of PCB.

 

[IMMY69]

May be because BCCI can maintain the bubble. Hire charter planes and do everything thats humanely or financially possible to keep the players safe.

I don't think any board has much confidence on the competency of PCB.

Bravo.
and they maintain this bubble as people struggle to breath around them.

Also this constant Pakistan vs India tactic thing might work when you're trying to rile up your own people but it's getting extremely boring here.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

May be because BCCI can maintain the bubble. Hire charter planes and do everything thats humanely or financially possible to keep the players safe.

I don't think any board has much confidence on the competency of PCB.

BCCI would have watched and learned from the mistakes of the PCB otherwise could well have seen them making similar gaffes. I agree about the incompetency of the PCB, but even they wouldn't make the same mistakes next time.

Anyway this is clearly about money, otherwise why would these players be in a country which is in such a bad way over Covid? Would love to see how many of them would be playing if they were offered $10,000 each instead of the millions they are raking in.

 

[Last Monetarist]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I am contributing 10% of my IPL salary towards providing essential medical resources for those in need. My family will make sure it reaches the right places. Jai Hind! <a href="https://t.co/XvAOayUEcd">pic.twitter.com/XvAOayUEcd</a></p>— Jaydev Unadkat (@JUnadkat) <a href="https://twitter.com/JUnadkat/status/1388077327213543428?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 30, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[IMMY69]

BCCI would have watched and learned from the mistakes of the PCB otherwise could well have seen them making similar gaffes. I agree about the incompetency of the PCB, but even they wouldn't make the same mistakes next time.

Anyway this is clearly about money, otherwise why would these players be in a country which is in such a bad way over Covid? Would love to see how many of them would be playing if they were offered $10,000 each instead of the millions they are raking in.

Well according to one poster Woakes is actually making a $10,000 loss by participating in this years IPL.

 

[Rana]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I am contributing 10% of my IPL salary towards providing essential medical resources for those in need. My family will make sure it reaches the right places. Jai Hind! <a href="https://t.co/XvAOayUEcd">pic.twitter.com/XvAOayUEcd</a></p>— Jaydev Unadkat (@JUnadkat) <a href="https://twitter.com/JUnadkat/status/1388077327213543428?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 30, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Well done.

Another overpaid cricketer ensuring that some of that excess money is put into the right place.

 

[Savak]

The power of the BCCI, IPL. Only the BCCI can successfully pull off the IPL and keep gora players enticed from leaving in an environment where there are 300,000 plus cases and when the Western govts have already issued travel advisories urging foreigners not to travel to India, not to stay in India and that if they don't get back to their home countries by a certain date, they risked being locked out. But someone like Glenn Maxwell is willing to suck it up and risk it all for that $1.5 million paycheck.

Can't blame him or anyone. It is human nature to not want life changing sums of money

 

[IMMY69]

The power of the BCCI, IPL. Only the BCCI can successfully pull off the IPL and keep gora players enticed from leaving in an environment where there are 300,000 plus cases and when the Western govts have already issued travel advisories urging foreigners not to travel to India, not to stay in India and that if they don't get back to their home countries by a certain date, they risked being locked out. But someone like Glenn Maxwell is willing to suck it up and risk it all for that $1.5 million paycheck.

Can't blame him or anyone. It is human nature to not want life changing sums of money

I think you missed Maxwell's interview in the other thread.
From what I can see if given the chance he'd be on the first flight back to Australia.
Problem is they left it ten days too late

 

[DeadlyVenom]

If a population needs cricket on the TV to stop them going out in public during a pandemic that is ravaging their country then that population has zero chance of beating this pandemic.

 

[Savak]

I think you missed Maxwell's interview in the other thread.
From what I can see if given the chance he'd be on the first flight back to Australia.
Problem is they left it ten days too late

Maxwell is a joke. He doesn't care as long as he is getting paid for free. Only a country like India will pay him $4-5 million dollars in 3 years for zero output. He is the Butt of all jokes among ex Indian players, pundits but he doesn't care as he is laughing all the way to the bank

 

[CrIc_Mystique]

If a population needs cricket on the TV to stop them going out in public during a pandemic that is ravaging their country then that population has zero chance of beating this pandemic.

Thanks for your sympathies and observations which is more wishful thinking.
Whilst at it can u list what will increase the chances of 'beating this pandemic' other than the tired narrative of lets cancel the IPL so that the virus goes away?
and can you list the countries that have followed your steps?

 

[MenInG]

Why is the IPL playing on amid COVID-19 crisis? ‘Humanity’, of course


If you’re wondering why the Indian Premier League is persevering while COVID-19 runs out of control in the country, and why around 40 Australians are pressing on with playing, coaching and commentating there, perhaps you’ll be convinced by an email sent to teams from the acting chief executive of the BCCI this week.

“When you walk out onto the field, you are bringing hope to millions of people who have tuned in,” wrote Hemang Amin. “If, even for a minute, you can bring a smile to someone’s face then you have done well. While you are professionals and will play to win, this time you are also playing for something much more important – humanity.”

Ah, humanity. It’s like motherhood, hard to argue against, really. But let’s at least ask a few questions.

Isn’t it just a bit weird to be conducting a sporting competition at all in a country designated as a red zone? The COVID-19 crisis in Australia was never nearly as acute as it is in India right now, but we shut down all sport and somehow bumbled through.

Yeah, but ... humanity.

Doesn’t it jar to see images of cricketers flying from one venue to another so swaddled in PPE that they look like mummies?

Isn’t it obvious that in a country as stricken as India, every last bodysuit, mask and bottle of oxygen should be dedicated to the already unequal fight against COVID-19? Isn’t it bizarre that as Australia prepares to ship off boatloads of gear to India, India is putting a bit aside for cricketers? It mightn’t be much, but should it be any?

Well, yes, because humanity.

Isn’t it odd that, for this league to proceed, the players are sealed away in so-called bubbles, subject to onerous conditions that now will be further tightened? Bubbles that in any case make some players nervous about their bio-security?

Yeah, but, you know ... humanity.

Doesn’t it strike you as perverse that cricketers who have spent most of the last 12 months in bubbles, and by the end of the Australian summer were going stir-crazy in them, should wall themselves in again for a couple more months in their spare time?

Ah, but don’t forget about humanity.

Does it not further strike you as odd that cricketers should isolate themselves in this way, with only one another and the demons in their minds for company, at a time when mental health sits near the top of the cricket agenda?

Humanity. Humanity. How many times do I have to say it?

Should we not pay attention to the canaries in the coal mine? Three Australians are scrambling for home, an Englishman has absconded, citing bubble fatigue, and an Indian Test star also has put family first. Isn’t it obvious that all sports should think twice about carrying on as if this is business as usual? Not even business is carrying on as if this is business as usual.

Geez. Aren’t you listening? Hu-man-it-y.

What about the look? Tens of thousands of Australians are stranded overseas, thousands in India, awaiting flights home. Flights from India are suspended at least until May 15, which will lengthen the waiting time. Yet at least one Australian cricketer is agitating for Cricket Australia to lay on a charter flight home at the end of the IPL.

No one would wish a longer exile on any Australia abroad, cricketer or non-cricketer. But a charter flight for cricketers would look like privilege.

Well, they are doing it for humanity.

Yes, Pat Cummins did donate $50,000 donation to the fight against COVID-19. Brett Lee followed suit. These generous gestures doubtlessly were appreciated. But they raise an awkward question. If individual cricketers can kick in this way, why can’t the game as a whole? If the IPL must proceed, why not donate all prizemoney to the COVID cause?

Better still, why not call off the whole vulgar exercise and divert all of Indian cricket’s vast resources to the catastrophe laying on its doorstep? There’s a bit of money kicking around in Indian cricket, you know.

Over to you, the great humanitarians of the BCCI. “While you go about playing the sport we all love, you are also doing something really important,” said the CEO. “If we can help distract people from all the troubles of recent times, even if it is for a short while, we have done a great job.”

Troubles? Mere troubles? Distraction? Hope to millions? A great job?

Quick, look over there: humanity.

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricke...rus-crisis-but-should-it-20210428-p57n62.html

Excellent read and answers a few questions.