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

[King-Misbah]

Zero cases have entered the IPL bubble. Real test of their resolve and your claim would be if there were positive tests inside the bubble

I have my doubts.

 

[IMMY69]

Not sure if I can watch the news where they regularly showing people walking 100 km to get a ventilator and lifeless people paying taken away to their burial/cremation and then switch over to watch a game against RR vs KKR or even Karachi Kings Vs Lahore Lions...

UK now airlifting ventilators to India.

 

[Mamoon]

I completely agree with what Junaids asserted. Considering the COVID situation in India, it is extremely inhumane to waste COVID testing kits on IPL players by testing each and every player, official, coaching staff etc. twice every day.

Considering the total head count in the IPL bubble, we are looking at hundreds of COVID Tests per day just to keep a cricket tournament running.

Of course the financial ramifications are a major factor, but at times, you have to look at the bigger picture. This is an unprecedented situation and BCCI generates more than enough revenue not to go bankrupt by postponing one edition of IPL.

 

[ahmedzee]

I think they should postpone the IPL, it’s the right thing to do with the dire situation in India. Focus should be on that and not on cricket. People come first!

 

[naseem]

In this dire situation let all nations come together and help each other....human lyf is bigger than the game..... Help each other save each other....wash hands...wear mask....don't go out unnecessarily..

 

[cricketjoshila]

I completely agree with what Junaids asserted. Considering the COVID situation in India, it is extremely inhumane to waste COVID testing kits on IPL players by testing each and every player, official, coaching staff etc. twice every day.

Considering the total head count in the IPL bubble, we are looking at hundreds of COVID Tests per day just to keep a cricket tournament running.

Of course the financial ramifications are a major factor, but at times, you have to look at the bigger picture. This is an unprecedented situation and BCCI generates more than enough revenue not to go bankrupt by postponing one edition of IPL.

People have to get tested to get on a plane, to attend a physical meeting, to get into a hotel. No one should decide what's important or not important for tests.

India is testing 1.6mn a day. Only place where people are finding it difficult to test is Delhi as govt of Delhi has put a cap on tests.

Rest testing is easy in India.Walk In, get yourself tested and walk out. Report delivered in 48 to 72 hrs on your email.

 

[MenInG]

I completely agree with what Junaids asserted. Considering the COVID situation in India, it is extremely inhumane to waste COVID testing kits on IPL players by testing each and every player, official, coaching staff etc. twice every day.

Considering the total head count in the IPL bubble, we are looking at hundreds of COVID Tests per day just to keep a cricket tournament running.

Of course the financial ramifications are a major factor, but at times, you have to look at the bigger picture. This is an unprecedented situation and BCCI generates more than enough revenue not to go bankrupt by postponing one edition of IPL.

It's so disrespectful to the dead and dying in India to be squandering precious Covid testing kits and resources on testing and retesting IPL participants so that they can play a game.

It's a gesture of absolute contempt towards the Indian public.

This is silly wastage

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">4th PCR test in 6 days...! <a href="https://t.co/0d42z4GVNm">pic.twitter.com/0d42z4GVNm</a></p>— Kevin Pietersen (@KP24) <a href="https://twitter.com/KP24/status/1385858012754026496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 24, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Last Monetarist]

Even if the BCCI and the government of India deem the IPL to be a necessity in a period of strife, it is regardless disgraceful to be hosting the next leg of the tournament in Delhi where by all accounts the healthcare service is under seige given that there is a shortage of oxygen tanks and testing kits. The unnecessary waste of resources on an entertainment circus in that city is squalid and perverse.

It's an unnecessary risk from an organizational perspective as well, the bubble has held up well till now, but travelling across to one of the hotspots will leave a few liable to exposure in one form or another.

 

[Junaids]

People have to get tested to get on a plane, to attend a physical meeting, to get into a hotel. No one should decide what's important or not important for tests.

India is testing 1.6mn a day. Only place where people are finding it difficult to test is Delhi as govt of Delhi has put a cap on tests.

Rest testing is easy in India.Walk In, get yourself tested and walk out. Report delivered in 48 to 72 hrs on your email.

Every Indian who dies of Covid caught it from someone.

The 14 Covid testing kits which are being wasted on every IPL bubble occupant each week could each have saved multiple lives.

It’s as if a war was going on and you were letting people waste ammunition on sport.

The continuation of the IPL currently is just a gesture of contempt for the suffering of ordinary people in India. And it is wasting precious resources that they desperately need.

 

[Saj]

Wasting tests on cricketers and people linked to the IPL when the average man in the street is dying.

Doesn't make sense to me.

 

[Mamoon]

People have to get tested to get on a plane, to attend a physical meeting, to get into a hotel. No one should decide what's important or not important for tests.

They do not get tested two times a day every single day. Apart from doctors working directly with COVID patients, no gets tested this often. In fact, in most cases, even doctors working in COVID wards are not tested twice a day. This is clearly a wastage of resources.

India is testing 1.6mn a day. Only place where people are finding it difficult to test is Delhi as govt of Delhi has put a cap on tests.

India is certainly testing a lot of people, but it is not possible for them to meet the demands considering the situation right now. Postponing the IPL and saving these hundreds of tests conducted per week would certainly be a positive step towards fulfilling public demand.

Rest testing is easy in India.Walk In, get yourself tested and walk out. Report delivered in 48 to 72 hrs on your email.

This is how it is in Pakistan and every other country in the world. It is not exclusive to India. However, the point is that it is not prudent to have a sporting tournament and waste hundreds of tests per week on a bunch of cricketers when there is a full-blown crisis in the country.

 

[naseem]

People have to get tested to get on a plane, to attend a physical meeting, to get into a hotel. No one should decide what's important or not important for tests.

India is testing 1.6mn a day. Only place where people are finding it difficult to test is Delhi as govt of Delhi has put a cap on tests.

Rest testing is easy in India.Walk In, get yourself tested and walk out. Report delivered in 48 to 72 hrs on your email.

And the IPL next leg is in Delhi

 

[Junaids]

India is testing 1.6mn a day. Only place where people are finding it difficult to test is Delhi as govt of Delhi has put a cap on tests.

Rest testing is easy in India.Walk In, get yourself tested and walk out. Report delivered in 48 to 72 hrs on your email.

Do only the elite count?

In 2014, still 50% of Indians would poo outdoors because they didn’t have access to a toilet. Subsequently 100 million latrines - not toilets, not linked to sewage pipes - have been added. The WHO say that still 44% of Indians poo outdoors.

How are these people supposed to get to be tested? And do you really believe that they have an email box that they monitor?

That’s the problem this IPL is highlighting. It’s entertainment for the “haves” while millions of Indians are trapped in a battle of life and death. And the IPL bubbles are consuming Covid testing sets which could be saving lives.

The IPL has become Marie Antoinette. “Let them eat cake!”

 

[Thanos]

It took almost 3 weeks (when thread was created) for posters to come up with a bit of valid point of postponing IPL because test kits can be used for common people. Otherwise most were suggesting to use IPL money to save people and turn grounds to hospital.

Using IPL test kits on common people is valid but not that valid in my opinion. The asymptomatics are asked not to get tested mostly and isolate at home following prescription. Those who have symptoms, test just confirms it and treatment gets started. In most cases treatment gets started even if test was not done because the symptoms are very clear.

But the test itself doesn't save people. The reason of crowd on test centres is that people wants RTPCR report to travel from one place to other. So test kits used in IPL that too divided into two locations are not going to make any difference to situation.

The only valid reason I feel to postpone IPL is that it's insensitive to have entertainment show running in this tough time. But if they don't, I wont blame them. At a time when Govt asking everyone to stay home, these bio bubble people are actually not adding more worries to govt by keeping cases down.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

And the IPL next leg is in Delhi

Situation in Delhi is pretty bad these days. No normal beds are available. All covid beds are occupied. Corona has exposed the third class system of India.

 

[IMMY69]

It took almost 3 weeks (when thread was created) for posters to come up with a bit of valid point of postponing IPL because test kits can be used for common people. Otherwise most were suggesting to use IPL money to save people and turn grounds to hospital.

Using IPL test kits on common people is valid but not that valid in my opinion. The asymptomatics are asked not to get tested mostly and isolate at home following prescription. Those who have symptoms, test just confirms it and treatment gets started. In most cases treatment gets started even if test was not done because the symptoms are very clear.

But the test itself doesn't save people. The reason of crowd on test centres is that people wants RTPCR report to travel from one place to other. So test kits used in IPL that too divided into two locations are not going to make any difference to situation.

The only valid reason I feel to postpone IPL is that it's insensitive to have entertainment show running in this tough time. But if they don't, I wont blame them. At a time when Govt asking everyone to stay home, these bio bubble people are actually not adding more worries to govt by keeping cases down.

How long did it take you to come up with this?

You're changing your mind now? Nope you don't get to change so easily.

Many here have argued how you can continue when there are thousands of people dying and tens of thousands suffering.

Forget the tests. Answer this?

 

[IMMY69]

To give some perspective, my friend called me crying saying his family are begging him to source Ventilators from abroad.

This guy is a keen cricketer and loves the IPL but the IPL couldn't be further from his mind.

That call I took was on Monday and for five days all I've seen here are people saying IPL should continue and how the bubble is holding up.
Show some heart for your own people.

 

[Thanos]

How long did it take you to come up with this?

You're changing your mind now? Nope you don't get to change so easily.

Many here have argued how you can continue when there are thousands of people dying and tens of thousands suffering.

Forget the tests. Answer this?

Hmm. You should've gone through whole thread first to see my stance before posting this.

 

[IMMY69]

Hmm. You should've gone through whole thread first to see my stance before posting this.

In which case I apologise.
These are difficult times for everyone and emotions are high

 

[silentkiller187]

To give some perspective, my friend called me crying saying his family are begging him to source Ventilators from abroad.

This guy is a keen cricketer and loves the IPL but the IPL couldn't be further from his mind.

That call I took was on Monday and for five days all I've seen here are people saying IPL should continue and how the bubble is holding up.
Show some heart for your own people.

I’ve seen some shocking videos, all my Indian friends here in the UK are literally splitting their hairs worried about the situation, and the fact that cricket is still going ahead is like a two fingers up to the people suffering. Uk govt cancelled the premiership in the first wave of lockdowns, the numbers in comparison to what we see in India was fractional and the money the premiership generates compared to the ipl is huge, yet they made the decision to stop wasting tests on players after public pressure and concern for everyone working on the frontline.

I knew Indians loved ipl but the way some are reacting on here is eye opening, valuing human lives over a cricket tournament, and of course there are some posters on here trying to get points however I can assure everyone most of the posters on here have genuine concerns for human life. Ipl can always be rescheduled, lives cannot.

 

[IAJ]

Situation in Delhi is pretty bad these days. No normal beds are available. All covid beds are occupied. Corona has exposed the third class system of India.

We have seen in some European countries that since everyone is busy with Covid cases, other people who have other serious ilnesses are being ignored, of course not deliberately, but this is what Corona has done.

 

[silentkiller187]

I completely agree with what Junaids asserted. Considering the COVID situation in India, it is extremely inhumane to waste COVID testing kits on IPL players by testing each and every player, official, coaching staff etc. twice every day.

Considering the total head count in the IPL bubble, we are looking at hundreds of COVID Tests per day just to keep a cricket tournament running.

Of course the financial ramifications are a major factor, but at times, you have to look at the bigger picture. This is an unprecedented situation and BCCI generates more than enough revenue not to go bankrupt by postponing one edition of IPL.

This is probably one of the most sensible takes on this topic.

 

[Thanos]

In which case I apologise.
These are difficult times for everyone and emotions are high

It's okay mate. This is really very tough time for all of us. I am not big fan of IPL or any other T20 league. But my view on whether to postpone IPL21 is actually very divided.
At first I think it should be postponed because I find it insensitive when people are dying, on second thought I feel it should continue as it takes mind away from all the negativity around.

Let me share one small incident. I first time played Dream11 last season only. And found it interesting. We are bunch of friends who play in our private contest with 5-10 Rs entry only as we don't play for money and free contest isn't allowed. It's my job to create contest daily.
One day I didn't create the contest and one friend who is isolated at home with family being covid positive asked me to create contest without fail as it really helps their mind to take away all negativity for few hours. And another friend who is also in home quarantine echoed the same. Said their family members get scared watching news of deaths due to covid on social media and news channels. These 4 hours of IPL match daily is the time when they can relieve all stress and have some entertainment. (If anyone thinks I am making this up, I can share screenshot of chat).

So not an easy decision to make and opinions are going to be divided.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

We have seen in some European countries that since everyone is busy with Covid cases, other people who have other serious ilnesses are being ignored, of course not deliberately, but this is what Corona has done.

Same is happening in Delhi. Hospitals are giving first preference to Covid patients.

 

[MenInG]

NEW DELHI: Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket stars are the "lucky" ones as they play the world's richest Twenty20 tournament while a coronavirus emergency ravages India, England all-rounder Chris Woakes said.

Four players have tested positive and some, including England's Liam Livingstone, have left the IPL because of the coronavirus, which is infecting more than 300,000 people a day in India.

Games are being played in empty stadiums away from the crisis unfolding outside, where overwhelmed hospitals are running critically short of oxygen and beds.

The IPL, spread across six cities, comes before India is due to host the Twenty20 World Cup in October and November.
Woakes, who plays for the Delhi Capitals, said he was trying to stay positive in the bio-secure 'bubble' cocooning the eight IPL teams.

"It's a shame with the situation at the moment with the people all around the world having to deal with Covid, which isn't ideal," the 32-year-old said in an interview.

"Within the bubble, we are trying to stay positive. We are very lucky that we still get a chance to play cricket and entertain people on the outside," he added.

Players, including Australian Daniel Sams (Royal Challengers Bangalore) tested positive ahead of the tournament, while some withdrew because of concerns over the pandemic.

"Very different times we are all living in at the moment. It's a very different IPL, no fans, bio-secure bubble, so definitely has a different feel to it," said Woakes.

"To keep busy, I have got two English teammates with me in Sam Billings and Tom Curran. We spend quite a lot of time together," he added.

Woakes also said he believes playing T20 cricket in Indian conditions is ideal preparation for the World Cup later this year.
"Bowling at some world-class players in India on small grounds, good pitches that can be as hard as it gets for a bowler," he said.

"Every IPL team is stacked with world-class players, so you are testing yourself against the best players in the world in tough conditions.

"Obviously (with) the World Cup being here at the end of the year, it's perfect preparation."

Delhi, who lost last year's final to five-time champions Mumbai Indians, are again in the chase helped by Woakes's five wickets in three games.

"It has been a great start for us, we have won three of our four games. I have enjoyed being part of the group, they have been very welcoming," said Woakes.

Woakes was bought by Delhi for $200,000 in 2020 but he skipped last year's edition, held in UAE because of the pandemic, for family reasons.

He said it was "surreal" to be working under Capitals coach Ricky Ponting -- and that he had received some batting tips from the former Australia captain.

"He certainly gave me a few little things to look at with my batting which is great," said Woakes, who has played 38 Tests and 104 one-day internationals for England.

"You want to tap into the knowledge of a world-class cricketer like he was. So that's been brilliant."

Ponting has changed "little technical things" on his batting and concentration. "A couple of things on my backlift which helps me access the ball a little bit easier at the back end of my innings."

The bowling all-rounder also appreciates playing with another former Australian captain, Steve Smith, who joined Delhi this season.
Woakes added that he supports "The Hundred" in England -- an upcoming tournament where each side will play just 100 balls, down from the 120 in T20.

"If you get the best players from around the world playing each other, it will be a good spectacle regardless of the format," said Woakes.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com...ia-says-chris-woakes/articleshow/82213393.cms

 

[cricketjoshila]

They do not get tested two times a day every single day. Apart from doctors working directly with COVID patients, no gets tested this often. In fact, in most cases, even doctors working in COVID wards are not tested twice a day. This is clearly a wastage of resources.



India is certainly testing a lot of people, but it is not possible for them to meet the demands considering the situation right now. Postponing the IPL and saving these hundreds of tests conducted per week would certainly be a positive step towards fulfilling public demand.



This is how it is in Pakistan and every other country in the world. It is not exclusive to India. However, the point is that it is not prudent to have a sporting tournament and waste hundreds of tests per week on a bunch of cricketers when there is a full-blown crisis in the country.

IPL players dont get tested twice a day. They get tested every 2nd or 3rd day.

If demand was not being met i could understand this point, but clearly supply is not an issue here.

If supply was an issue then your point was valid. Else its not.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Do only the elite count?

In 2014, still 50% of Indians would poo outdoors because they didn’t have access to a toilet. Subsequently 100 million latrines - not toilets, not linked to sewage pipes - have been added. The WHO say that still 44% of Indians poo outdoors.

How are these people supposed to get to be tested? And do you really believe that they have an email box that they monitor?

That’s the problem this IPL is highlighting. It’s entertainment for the “haves” while millions of Indians are trapped in a battle of life and death. And the IPL bubbles are consuming Covid testing sets which could be saving lives.

The IPL has become Marie Antoinette. “Let them eat cake!”

When all fails, talk about toilets, thats the typical pakistani counter. Please talk about the toilet figures in pakistan.

India's toilet coverage is in excess of 90 per cent.

Any one can go to a government center and get tested for free, just like 135mn got vaccines for free. You get your test results on your phone via sms. Or you can go and collect it from the center.

 

[Last Monetarist]

Four players have tested positive and some, including England's Liam Livingstone, have left the IPL because of the coronavirus, which is infecting more than 300,000 people a day in India.

I thought there were no positive tests and that the bubble was secure. They seem to have been suppressing any negative news.

 

[MenInG]

At a time when the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 is in full swing, India has witnessed a record surge in COVID-19 cases amid these unprecedented times. Days after former Pakistani cricketers Imran Khan and Shoaib Akhtar extended support to India in the wake of the COVID-19 surge, former Australian wicket-keeper batsman and IPL winner Adam Gilchrist has shared a cryptic post about the alarming situation in the country.

While expressing solidarity with the people of India in the aftermath of the deadly second wave of COVID-19, Gilchrist shifted the focus on the 14th edition of the IPL which is being conducted across several states of India amid these testing times. Taking to Twitter ahead of the Rajasthan Royals' (RR) high-voltage clash with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Mumbai's Wankhede, the former IPL superstar highlighted the 'frightening Covid numbers' across the nation.

Gilchrist gave a special mention to the ongoing IPL 2021 while speaking at length about the COVID-19 crisis in India. "Best wishes to all in India Flag of India Frightening Covid numbers. #IPL continues. Inappropriate? Or important distraction each night? Whatever your thoughts, prayers are with you," Gilchrist shared a note-worthy tweet on the microblogging site.

https://www.timesnownews.com/sports...-frightening-covid-19-numbers-in-india/749157

 

[Thanos]

I thought there were no positive tests and that the bubble was secure. They seem to have been suppressing any negative news.

Four players tested positive while serving mandatory quarantine. Before joining the team.
Padikkal, Nitish Rana, Daniel sams and axar patel.

 

[TheNightWatchman]

People have to get tested to get on a plane, to attend a physical meeting, to get into a hotel. No one should decide what's important or not important for tests.

India is testing 1.6mn a day. Only place where people are finding it difficult to test is Delhi as govt of Delhi has put a cap on tests.

Rest testing is easy in India.Walk In, get yourself tested and walk out. Report delivered in 48 to 72 hrs on your email.

It's a wastage of valuable resources is what it is. [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] is a healthcare worker. So am I. We know firsthand what we are talking about. The healthcare system is not able to sustain right now in India. Tests are important to try to locate and stop the spread. People are dying on the street.
I know you like to defend the BCCI but this is ridiculous.

 

[Abhilash93]

1. The number of tests conducted at the IPL would be a very miniscule number compared to the overall tests being done in the whole country.

2. In case of cancellation, How do you plan to compensate the ground staff, support staff, TV crew, hotel employees etc etc (and the overall economic impact) who get some much needed employment due to the IPL in these dire times.

Having a robust testing/ hospital/ vaccination network and having the IPL are 2 mutually exclusive things (one does not hinder the other) and we should continue to work on both in parallel.

 

[TheNightWatchman]

1. The number of tests conducted at the IPL would be a very miniscule number compared to the overall tests being done in the whole country.

2. In case of cancellation, How do you plan to compensate the ground staff, support staff, TV crew, hotel employees etc etc (and the overall economic impact) who get some much needed employment due to the IPL in these dire times.

Having a robust testing/ hospital/ vaccination network and having the IPL are 2 mutually exclusive things (one does not hinder the other) and we should continue to work on both in parallel.

I'm pretty sure BCCI makes enough revenue to incur for the losses. The economic impact from the IPL is -in your own words 'miniscule' in comparison to what could be devastating effects to the economy in the COVID aftermath
India is in crisis and it may not look like it from the comforts of some of the bourgeoisie, but this looks extremely inappropriate to carry out a tournament in a time like this.
"But what about NBA when Covid was raging in the states?" The NBA was pretty much done before the second wave hit the states and ALSO people weren't dying on the streets in record numbers when it was happening.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Indians mostly dont want IPL postponed. Pakistanis who have no stake in the IPL want it postponed. Is it because PSL got postponed?

 

[cricketjoshila]

It's a wastage of valuable resources is what it is. [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] is a healthcare worker. So am I. We know firsthand what we are talking about. The healthcare system is not able to sustain right now in India. Tests are important to try to locate and stop the spread. People are dying on the street.
I know you like to defend the BCCI but this is ridiculous.

I am a doctor, working in a covid ICU in India. Please don't teach me about the condition in India

Here getting a bed may be an issue. Getting oxygen in Delhi may be the issue. But getting tested for covid isn't.

Testing is free in govt centers. Its very easy.

 

[sharmaji]

Indians mostly dont want IPL postponed. Pakistanis who have no stake in the IPL want it postponed. Is it because PSL got postponed?

Is there any proof to what you wrote? This is not a India-Pakistan thing. Any sane person will find the ongoing IPL disrespectful to the millions of Indians who are struggling to survive.

 

[MenInG]

Indians mostly dont want IPL postponed. Pakistanis who have no stake in the IPL want it postponed. Is it because PSL got postponed?

The Indians I speak to our sickened by IPL happening in the middle of misery.

I feel you are taking this too badly and making it into a national izzat ka mamla. I suggest you step away from that point of view and look at the arguments being offered in this thread instead of diverting attention and making it into a India Pakistan affair.

 

[TheNightWatchman]

I am a doctor, working in a covid ICU in India. Please don't teach me about the condition in India

Here getting a bed may be an issue. Getting oxygen in Delhi may be the issue. But getting tested for covid isn't.

Testing is free in govt centers. Its very easy.

Fair enough. It is not in my place to tell you what the ground situation is. But as a fellow doctor you could surely sympathise with the fact that this is an extremely inappropriate time to conduct any such sporting event or an entertainment event of any kind right now. There's a time and a place.
Class privilege is raising it's ugly head now more than ever. It's capitalism vs basic humanity. How in good conscience can anyone be even interested in a game of cricket when at any point any of their loved ones can be scrambling for a hospital bed, desperately searching for a ventilator.
And no this isn't an India Pak thing, it's a humanity thing and you as a doctor should know better.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Is there any proof to what you wrote? This is not a India-Pakistan thing. Any sane person will find the ongoing IPL disrespectful to the millions of Indians who are struggling to survive.

The Indians I speak to our sickened by IPL happening in the middle of misery.

I feel you are taking this too badly and making it into a national izzat ka mamla. I suggest you step away from that point of view and look at the arguments being offered in this thread instead of diverting attention and making it into a India Pakistan affair.

There are enough posts on this thread regarding players not leaving IPL but leaving PSL.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Is there any proof to what you wrote? This is not a India-Pakistan thing. Any sane person will find the ongoing IPL disrespectful to the millions of Indians who are struggling to survive.

Fair enough. It is not in my place to tell you what the ground situation is. But as a fellow doctor you could surely sympathise with the fact that this is an extremely inappropriate time to conduct any such sporting event or an entertainment event of any kind right now. There's a time and a place.
Class privilege is raising it's ugly head now more than ever. It's capitalism vs basic humanity. How in good conscience can anyone be even interested in a game of cricket when at any point any of their loved ones can be scrambling for a hospital bed, desperately searching for a ventilator.
And no this isn't an India Pak thing, it's a humanity thing and you as a doctor should know better.

I am not a judge of anyone's conscience.

Film shoots were happening with Covid tests being conducted. Still happening outside Maharashtra. Series and serial shoots happening.

If supply of Testing kits becomes an issue ofcourse stop non essential use of kits, but if supply meets demand then its not an issue.

Heck here you can call labs and get your covid sample collected at home.

 

[MenInG]

There are enough posts on this thread regarding players not leaving IPL but leaving PSL.

Yes so answer those posts. What you seem to be doing is answering anything remotely critical of IPL with comment on PSL.

 

[sam_ahm]

I am a doctor, working in a covid ICU in India. Please don't teach me about the condition in India

Here getting a bed may be an issue. Getting oxygen in Delhi may be the issue. But getting tested for covid isn't.

Testing is free in govt centers. Its very easy.

I'm not commenting on IPL, but I know several of my relatives who had to wait for some days before they could get tested and eventually were found positive.

 

[Abhilash93]

The economic impact from the IPL is -in your own words 'miniscule' in comparison to what could be devastating effects to the economy in the COVID aftermath
.

That is true.

But how would cancellation of the IPL help in minimising the impact of COVID ?

The devastating effects of COVID on the economy would be there irrespective of the IPL.

These are two mutually exclusive events. The IPL and the COVID affected people are not fighting for the same resources here.

 

[naseem]

Situation in Delhi is pretty bad these days. No normal beds are available. All covid beds are occupied. Corona has exposed the third class system of India.

And the IPL is going be held there....will there be a cap on tests of players....?? Will there be...??

Ganguly has changed a lot.....his snobbish attitude is taken a negative turn....

Hope sanity prevails

 

[asifp]

Look at the flip side, in all this doom and gloom it's good to have a sense of normalcy. IPL is not stealing oxygen or hospital capacity. Testing is not really a capacity issues at all at the .moment. If the bubble can be maintained what is the harm in stopping IPL.

We are just jealous that we messed up PSL. I am sure there are millions of Indians who don't mind watching some cricket at the end of the day to take their mind of all the sad news.

 

[MenInG]

Look at the flip side, in all this doom and gloom it's good to have a sense of normalcy. IPL is not stealing oxygen or hospital capacity. Testing is not really a capacity issues at all at the .moment. If the bubble can be maintained what is the harm in stopping IPL.

We are just jealous that we messed up PSL. I am sure there are millions of Indians who don't mind watching some cricket at the end of the day to take their mind of all the sad news.

Can we please get over this "IPL vs PSL" thing?

What most people are saying is that when there is so much misery around you, how as a player are you willing to indulge in such lavish entertainment.

Its like having a lavish wedding in a large glass bowl surrounded by sick people.

Think of it in that way.

Of course BCCI must be commended for safeguarding the health of their players and foreign guests.

 

[Hasan123]

The BCCI and franchises have shown they can maintain a secure and safe bio bubble. So I don’t see the IPL getting cancelled.

 

[leg-side-flick]

I don't think continuing IPL Or shooting for movies or going to office by working at 20% of staff is disrespectful to fellow citizens..

Everyone is doing their respective jobs, believe it or not, some ones Rozi Roti is IPL

That's precisely why I like Imran Khan ka idea of not locking everything down...

Also Testing frankly is not a issue in India right now

If IPL was taking up resources that would save other lives, then of course it should be kicked out but frankly it's a side show right now, happening in 2/3 cities and being telecast live. So it's just like watching a movie or news or some other kind of entertainment...

 

[asifp]

IPL or no IPL it makes zero difference to the current situation in India. Not sure how cancelling IPL makes anything better.

Let cricketers make their money and people enjoy the cricket in all this doom and gloom

 

[Lego20]

Not sure what the fuss is around IPL going on. I would regard it as welcome & healthy entertainment in these lock down times unless it jeopardizes health situation or participants.

 

[Junaids]

That's precisely why I like Imran Khan ka idea of not locking everything down...

Also Testing frankly is not a issue in India right now
...

Two things.

Firstly, not locking down in countries with casual-employment based economies - eg India, Pakistan, USA - has led to millions of deaths. These countries tolerate those deaths because their economic models mean that otherwise sick people not going to work would be unpaid. They have a system which ENCOURAGES people to go to work and spread the virus while sick.

This is not something to praise or admire. It means that those countries have economic models which are unfit to withstand a pandemic. So for example Florida has a smaller population than Australia, its economy is doing worse and unlike Australia it never had flights from Wuhan. But it has 35 times more Covid deaths than Australia.

Secondly, testing IS an issue. The minimum level in an outbreak during a pandemic is 1% of the population per day.

So India in a full outbreak should be testing 16 million people per day. They are actually testing at 10% of that level. Melbourne in its outbreak reached 11.2 Tests per thousand population per day: 1.12% of the population per day, just above the recommended 1%.

So India is currently testing at 90% BELOW the required level during a full-blown outbreak, yet IPL bubble occupants are being tested 14 times per week.

And that’s why the IPL is an insult to every dead and dying Indian.

The country is testing at levels 91% LOWER than Melbourne did during its outbreak, and yet they are squandering resources on repeatedly testing cricketers who could be playing their games in the UAE.

It’s embarrassing.

 

[holldout]

I find it a welcome distraction from otherwise gloomy news and with lock down in place in many states.
I see tests are not an issue here in Karnataka, it's remdesiver and oxygen cylinders.
Certainly if test kit supply is hit one should call it off. But calling it vulgar in light of sufferings is like saying all one needs to see in Netflix is sad movies, because everyone is sad around.

 

[ex-q-zit]

On the contrary I think the IPL will make people stay indoors during match times for the next 2 months. Atleast this way people wouldn't wander around unecessarily as I see many people still not taking the pandemic seriously.

 

[Mr Crickekter]

In a country where election rallies are continuously going on (West Bengal) and PM of country leads them. Then how can you expect them to postpone IPL..

 

[hitthestump]

2. In case of cancellation, How do you plan to compensate the ground staff, support staff, TV crew, hotel employees etc etc (and the overall economic impact) who get some much needed employment due to the IPL in these dire times.

Incredible how Indians now don't even bother to consider the option that their own billionaire board might be able to take a financial hit to protect people's livelihoods.

 

[WengerOut]

Indian Express has decided to suspend the coverage of IPL. Great gesture. Hopefully others follow.

 

[OldWarHorse]

IPL is a business after all. Employment is massive and even domestic cricketers who are not involved also benefit from the windfalls. As long as it doesnt drain resources and keep the people involved safe, it shouldnt be a concern.

 

[naseem]

On the contrary I think the IPL will make people stay indoors during match times for the next 2 months. Atleast this way people wouldn't wander around unecessarily as I see many people still not taking the pandemic seriously.

U will stay indoor and enjoy IPL when ur relatives r fighting for their lyf...... &#55357;&#56866;&#55357;&#56866;..... At this rate almost evry Indian has bis or her family or relative affected by COVID.......HOW can one be so insensitive

 

[Usman]

This is quite a difficult one to be honest.

If the IPL was due to start now, then I'm sure the organisers would have cancelled it or held it outside of India. However now that it has started, and the bio secure bubble is so far holding up, its not so easy to just cancel it.

The debate in this thread centres around whether the IPL is or is not taking up valuable testing capacity. Some say yes it is whilst others say testing capacity outstrips demand. Both positions can't be right - one side of this argument is wrong. Without official government figures though, we don't know who's right. Some people are giving first hand accounts that testing capacity is good, but its difficult to know the true picture in a country of 1.2 billion. We need offical figures from the government.

From an entertainment perspective, this is again a difficult one. On the one hand, it seems morally wrong to be holding a lavish tournament in a country so badly ravaged by the pandemic. On the other hand, you could argue that the IPL is providing some light relief to an otherwise miserable Indian public.

What I find interesting though is what players will do for money. We all know that bio secure bubbles are not totally secure and that it only takes one lapse for Covid to get in. The risks are much higher when the Covid infection rate is high, as it is in India right now. These players also know that there are deadly new variants in India which are worse than the original virus. They also know that if they became really unwell, there's a significant chance that they would not get the treatment they need because hospitals are at capacity and no matter who you are, if the hospital doesn't have oxygen, you're not going to get some. And yet these players are all happy to stay, taking a very significant risk with their health.

I don't mean to make this into an India vs Pakistan thing, but it is further proof that the reluctance to tour Pakistan with Presidential security has very little to do with risk appetite and more to do with greed.

 

[naseem]

In a country where election rallies are continuously going on (West Bengal) and PM of country leads them. Then how can you expect them to postpone IPL..

Heard it from my friend too....there ar massive rallies going on at the same time .also Kimba Mela has been a super spreader ..... How can a country go on a poll amid pandemic......sick...

 

[naseem]

This is quite a difficult one to be honest.

If the IPL was due to start now, then I'm sure the organisers would have cancelled it or held it outside of India. However now that it has started, and the bio secure bubble is so far holding up, its not so easy to just cancel it.

The debate in this thread centres around whether the IPL is or is not taking up valuable testing capacity. Some say yes it is whilst others say testing capacity outstrips demand. Both positions can't be right - one side of this argument is wrong. Without official government figures though, we don't know who's right. Some people are giving first hand accounts that testing capacity is good, but its difficult to know the true picture in a country of 1.2 billion. We need offical figures from the government.

From an entertainment perspective, this is again a difficult one. On the one hand, it seems morally wrong to be holding a lavish tournament in a country so badly ravaged by the pandemic. On the other hand, you could argue that the IPL is providing some light relief to an otherwise miserable Indian public.

What I find interesting though is what players will do for money. We all know that bio secure bubbles are not totally secure and that it only takes one lapse for Covid to get in. The risks are much higher when the Covid infection rate is high, as it is in India right now. These players also know that there are deadly new variants in India which are worse than the original virus. They also know that if they became really unwell, there's a significant chance that they would not get the treatment they need because hospitals are at capacity and no matter who you are, if the hospital doesn't have oxygen, you're not going to get some. And yet these players are all happy to stay, taking a very significant risk with their health.

I don't mean to make this into an India vs Pakistan thing, but it is further proof that the reluctance to tour Pakistan with Presidential security has very little to do with risk appetite and more to do with greed.

That was obvious from some years back....Anyway it's tough to tour a country with whom u r in a war...so I won't argue for it.....but the current situation is wae like one.....

.

 

[Mesozoic]

Why are people acting as if Rohit Sharma has taken all the hospital beds in Chennai and Faf Du Plesis has smuggled all the oxygen cylinders in Maharashtra to Pretoria?

Yes I know it's not ideal for such events to take place in times like these, but all these needless and melodramatic exaggerations on this thread reek of obvious desperation.

 

[Devadwal]

Just postpand it . enough now

 

[Devadwal]

 

[MenInG]

COVID-19 is ravaging India but cricket’s most glamorous tournament soldiers on.

Men and women are lying on streets outside hospitals, struggling to breathe while waiting for oxygen tanks which may never come and bodies waiting to be burned remain in long queues at crematoriums.

Still, the show must go on in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

According to Health Ministry data from Saturday, India registered 346,786 new infections in just 24 hours. That figure is far greater than any country has recorded since the pandemic began, and takes India’s total cases to almost 16 million.

While India grapples with this terrifying surge in cases, the cricket continues.

The IPL commenced a fortnight ago without crowds — when the country was already registering more than 100,000 new cases each day.

Players and staff have been confined in impermeable biosecurity bubbles, living conditions they have grown accustomed to over the past 10 months.

They fly between cities on chartered jets, aided at airports by locals in hazmat suits.

But the bubble’s reliability came into question when Australian all-rounder Daniel Sams tested positive to COVID-19 while serving hotel quarantine, along with Royal Challengers Bangalore teammate Devdutt Padikkal.

Despite the setbacks, the BCCI has opted not to postpone or abandon any matches. The financial losses would be monumental.

Four IPL teams are scheduled to play eight games this week in Delhi, a city that recorded 26,000 new cases on Thursday. Delhi & Districts Cricket Association president Rohan Jaitley told ESPNcricinfo there was no plan to shift the fixtures.

“The bubble is absolutely intact,” Jaitley said. “If I am not part of the bubble, I can’t meet anybody (inside it). It is absolutely safe.”

In Australia, sporting or recreational events are cancelled following a minor spike in community transmissions, but the BCCI are not as cautious.

Just last month, Ahmedabad’s newly-developed stadium hosted thousands of screaming fans for a Test match between India and England. Masks were not mandatory, while social distancing was almost non-existent.

The T20 tournament’s superstars are biding their time between games with leisure activities, gym sessions and video games.

Aussie batsmen David Warner and Steve Smith have shared clips on social media of their respective teams playing pool volleyball, while Chris Lynn and Kiwi quick Trent Boult posted some snaps of them surfing.

The New Zealander captioned an image: “Enjoying the ride.” Lynn wrote under a picture: “Winning the morning over here in Chennai.”

As pointed out by former England cricketer Isabelle Westbury, there’s something oddly dystopian about international cricketers raking in millions, while in the same state, hospitals don’t have the resources available to assist their dying patients.

“Utterly harrowing the Covid scene in India,” she tweeted. “Realise the benefit (and need) for sport (and has been same in UK); doesn’t make it any less dystopian contrasting the luxurious, tightly sealed IPL bubble with people dying of Covid on streets, unable to even get into hospital.”

Australian cricket legend Adam Gilchrist asked his Twitter followers whether it’s “inappropriate” for the IPL to continue, or if the tournament provides an “important distraction each night”.

“Whatever your thoughts, prayers are with you,” he tweeted.

IPL’s silence is deafening

Broadcaster and presenter Raunak Kapoor says the silence from the IPL about the situation unfolding outside of their bio-secure bubbles is deafening.

“If they tweet on the situation, they acknowledge the crisis. If they acknowledge the crisis, they acknowledge the government’s failure. If they acknowledge the government’s failure, they think they’ll get into trouble. Therefore, #IndiaTogether, in deafening silence #IPL2021,” Kapoor tweeted.

“There are exceptions. Ashwin, Jaffer, Harbhajan. I hope there will be more in days to come. The problem is not the IPL. It’s just the lack of acknowledgment.

“I don’t blame the IPL. If anything the tournament got lucky with everything being in place before things got alarmingly worse. And cancelling it does nothing. Just acknowledge & empathise with the people. They’re people. Not just a target audience.

“Sport is a platform. One that reaches people. If the people are suffering, or in pain, reach out to them. Show them you care. Show the people of India that the sport & its icons care about them. Of course you can do more, but this is the very least.”

As Kapoor mentioned, Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has spoken out, using his social media following to share and retweet calls for help, primarily from locals searching for plasma donations.

Enjoying live sport from the safety of home does benefit some, but the IPL’s broadcast only shows so much. While Indian legend MS Dhoni was smacking boundaries against the Kolkata Knight Riders on Thursday, his parents were both in hospital battling COVID-19.

“It’s a shame with the situation at the moment with the people all around the world having to deal with COVID, which isn’t ideal,” English paceman Chris Woakes said this week.

“Within the bubble, we are trying to stay positive. We are very lucky that we still get a chance to play cricket and entertain people on the outside.”

https://www.news.com.au/sport/crick...a/news-story/f41dabbecadc34d6f98c682b22b8191c

 

[Abhilash93]

I shudder to think what some of the posters here would have said about the musicians on the Titanic :
How insensitive of the orchestra on the Titanic to keep playing music while people were dying !

Could they not have helped some people out instead of playing their music. While people were fighting for their lives, these guys were enjoying and making merry.

#theshowmustgoon

 

[Junaids]

I shudder to think what some of the posters here would have said about the musicians on the Titanic :
How insensitive of the orchestra on the Titanic to keep playing music while people were dying !

Could they not have helped some people out instead of playing their music. While people were fighting for their lives, these guys were enjoying and making merry.

#theshowmustgoon

That’s the wrong metaphor.

In World War 2, London had a total blackout as German bombers attacked during the Blitz. Not even a speck of light could be allowed, to disorientate the German pilots.

Playing the IPL now is as if we had had floodlit football matches at Upton Park and Highbury.

There’s an out of control pandemic in India currently.

Nobody should be leaving their house and all non-essential activity should be ceased. Sports matches fall absolutely under the “non-essential” category.

The continuation of the IPL is a clear statement that governance has failed completely, at national government, state government and sport governance levels.

You might as well brand the players, the administrators and the viewers with facial tattoos saying “I’m too rich and too stupid to care”.

It’s an absolute disgrace, and with every day that passes I’m moving on from anger towards the government and the organisers to anger towards the players and the viewers. They are shameless and now I am ashamed of them.

 

[Mamoon]

I shudder to think what some of the posters here would have said about the musicians on the Titanic :
How insensitive of the orchestra on the Titanic to keep playing music while people were dying !

Could they not have helped some people out instead of playing their music. While people were fighting for their lives, these guys were enjoying and making merry.

#theshowmustgoon

Sure, people can make a solid argument to justify why hundreds of COVID tests per week to keep a cricket tournament running is justified in this situation, but this has to be the dumbest analogy I have ever come across in my life.

 

[TheNightWatchman]

I shudder to think what some of the posters here would have said about the musicians on the Titanic :
How insensitive of the orchestra on the Titanic to keep playing music while people were dying !

Could they not have helped some people out instead of playing their music. While people were fighting for their lives, these guys were enjoying and making merry.

#theshowmustgoon

Yes, very similar situation. So brave of these cricketers to play while they're dying from oxygen shortage. They're obviously in a similar situation as those begging for ventilators on the streets yes?

This is definitely the dumbest thing I've read on Pakpassion. And yes I've seen the Bresnan-Kapil Dev post.

 

[Ab Fan]

Actually, in a war, you could help others. In CoVID, you can't help anyone but yourself by staying safe at home and spend time watching whatever you want.

If you or your family is going through misery because of CoVID, you probably won't be bothered with whatever cricket that is going around. At the end of the day, it is a cricket match and you are not been asked or forced by anyone to celebrate.

They are two mutually exclusive events and as long as there is no effect of one on other, I don't see anything wrong with the game going on.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

I remember Pakistan were playing cricket in UAE when bomb blasts were going on everyday in the country. That was surreal.

In that case though, it felt like a bigger cause, "we are undaunted. We are our country. We will go on despite what is thrown at us."

IPL feels different.

It feels like a mockery in the face of misery - like we are different. We get to enjoy a wicket, a boundary, a runout while you die.

Worse, it feels like they are forcing their happy laughter in commentator box to keep the ruse the government is feeding its people that they are in control.

The gesture of solidarity IPL can do is for all the players to donate a part of their money to hospitals and go back home. Come back later and celebrate with the Indian people.

 

[globalcitizen]

I don't have a lengthy answer. It's a YES, the tournament should not be played at this time when situation is so bad

 

[Rajdeep]

Heard it from my friend too....there ar massive rallies going on at the same time .also Kimba Mela has been a super spreader ..... How can a country go on a poll amid pandemic......sick...

Election started when cases were very low and the situation was not alarming as it is now. Also, just blaming Kumbh mela and election rallies are wrong. I know the motivation behind those blame games but it is far from reality. The states with most number of covid cases are Delhi and Maharastra and both states didnt had election neither had Kumbh mela.

 

[Mr Crickekter]

Election started when cases were very low and the situation was not alarming as it is now. Also, just blaming Kumbh mela and election rallies are wrong. I know the motivation behind those blame games but it is far from reality. The states with most number of covid cases are Delhi and Maharastra and both states didnt had election neither had Kumbh mela.

In these rallies and Kumbh Mela mainly people of RSS ,bhakts of Modi participate..and for your information itz people of Maharashtra who belong to this catagory....

 

[naseem]

Election started when cases were very low and the situation was not alarming as it is now. Also, just blaming Kumbh mela and election rallies are wrong. I know the motivation behind those blame games but it is far from reality. The states with most number of covid cases are Delhi and Maharastra and both states didnt had election neither had Kumbh mela.

What is the situation of corona in bengal assam dear friend.....???

Isn't holding large rallies resulted in spike...
Yes kumbh mela is not responsible but u guys don't left any stone unturned to blame jamat....

Even international media took offence of the way nizamuddin markaz is held deshdrohi....

Stop this hypocrisy and help each other ..... irrespective of religion....

For some political power and administration and money is important ...but it's high time to choose either the life of ur near and dear ones or oxygen less bed less and sympathy less nation...
.
It's high time......not any other country is as affected as India....there is a reason to it....

 

[naseem]

It's not rozi roti....earning millions and close to it is no rozi roti..... If u guys need to know what is rozi roti go and spend a day with labourers daily wage earners.....rozi roti......huh

 

[Mesozoic]

In these rallies and Kumbh Mela mainly people of RSS ,bhakts of Modi participate ..and for your information itz people of Maharashtra who belong to this catagory....

No offense but the insurmountable amount of dumbness is this post is just

Quite possibly the dumbest comment I've ever read online and that includes YouTube comments too.

 

[Rajdeep]

In these rallies and Kumbh Mela mainly people of RSS ,bhakts of Modi participate..and for your information itz people of Maharashtra who belong to this catagory....

I dont know where are you from but every political party does rallies in India. TMC and Mamta Banerjee were doing mega rallies in bengal, even boasting the huge turnouts in social media. Priyanka Gandhi was promoting congress in Assam. Similarly, BJP was also doing their rallies. But you simply choose to pick BJP bcoz that suits the agenda and your dislike for the party.

And only people from RSS and Modi supporters attend kumbh mela? You do realize right that RSS and Modi has nothing to do with Kumbh Mela..lol

Just go and check the amount of effort RSS is putting in saving lives during this cricis by creating mass care centers across the country.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Can we please get over this "IPL vs PSL" thing?

What most people are saying is that when there is so much misery around you, how as a player are you willing to indulge in such lavish entertainment.

Its like having a lavish wedding in a large glass bowl surrounded by sick people.

Think of it in that way.

Of course BCCI must be commended for safeguarding the health of their players and foreign guests.

People are going to restaurants or ordering In. Weddings are allowed with 50 guests.
Film or Serials shoots on, new series being released on OTT.
Millions are watching the IPL. You cannot make the choice and take away their right to watch IPL or any other entertainment.

If viewership falls, IPL will stop. Its certainly not the case.

Why talk about IPL only?

One can deny but there is a certain amount of frustration at PSL's failure and postponement and IPL's success till now to keep the show going. That's pretty evident on this thread.

 

[cricketjoshila]

In these rallies and Kumbh Mela mainly people of RSS ,bhakts of Modi participate..and for your information itz people of Maharashtra who belong to this catagory....

Lol. Are you serious? People from Maharashtra came to rallies in Bengal and Assam? This is just ridiculous.