IPL good platform to promote social-distancing, wearing mask, hygiene: Former BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah

Delhi Capitals spinner Ravichandran Ashwin decided to take a break from the IPL after Sunday’s match against Sunrisers Hyderabad to be with his family who are “putting up a fight against COVID-19”

As the debate rages on about the conduct of the glitzy Indian Premier League (IPL) while the country gasps for oxygen and acute shortage of hospital beds due to a rapid spike in COVID-19 cases, former BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah felt it will be inappropriate to call off the T20 tournament. He, however, urged the Indian cricket board to make full utilisation of IPL's popularity in promoting COVID-19 safety precautions like social distancing, wearing a mask, etc.

"After taking pains to organise the tournament in India, IPL should not be called off midway. The BCCI has taken utmost precautions as far as the safety of players and everyone involved in the tournament are concerned.

"IPL is a very good platform to promote safety measures like social-distancing, wearing a mask, regular washing of hands, hygiene, etc. They are already promoting it but they can do a lot more, which I am sure they will do. They can say a few things about the COVID-19 precautions after a TV interview, during commentary or during the breaks," Shah told mid-day from Rajkot on Monday.

Niranjan Shah

He felt IPL is a great form of entertainment, a happy distraction every evening to people confined to their homes. "IPL is unique entertainment. Most people are confined to their homes in these times, and IPL is providing them some sort of entertainment. It is like watching a movie, the only difference is this is pure entertainment," the veteran administrator said.

Four players leave IPL bubble

Four players have decided to leave the IPL bubble to be with their families. India's spin great R Ashwin, who represents Delhi Capitals, decided to take a break after Sunday's match against Sunrisers Hyderabad to be with his family who are "putting up a fight against COVID-19". Three Australian players - Andrew Tye (Rajasthan Royals), Adam Zampa and Kane Richardson (both with Royal Challengers Bangalore) - also flew back home for "personal reasons".

Shah said players can get affected by playing in bio bubbles. "Playing in bio bubble is not easy. Most of the players are used to playing in a bubble by now as they have played tournaments in the past, but there will be players who may face some psychological issues," he said.

While RR's Chris Morris admitted that the COVID-19 situation has become a talking point in the team, Punjab Kings batting coach Wasim Jaffer has been trying to help the affected through social media.

Cummins donates USD 50,000

KKR's Pat Cummins became the first cricketer involved in the IPL to donate $50,000 towards PM CARES Funds on Monday.

Critics felt the timing of the IPL could have been better, but Shah staunchly defended it. "This is the time when the IPL is conducted. One must understand that when the IPL started on April 9, the COVID-19 condition was not so bad. The situation has worsened only in the last week or so. There is no point calling off the tournament at this stage. It is being operated with the highest precautions and care.

"People will target the BCCI because a tournament like IPL is happening in the middle of a pandemic. It is nothing new, but what is the solution? Will stopping the tournament reduce the number of cases? Conducting the IPL has nothing to do with the rise in COVID cases.

"We have conducted domestic tournaments like the Vijay Hazare Trophy and the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournaments during the pandemic just a few months ago. They were played in bio bubbles and nothing untoward happened. Here in Rajkot, we played a women's tournament in a bubble," Shah said.

‘No point shifting venues'

The IPL caravan now moves to New Delhi, Ahmedabad and Bangalore where the cases are shooting daily, but Shah felt there is no point shifting the venues. "Venues are already decided. No point taking the matches to other places because everywhere it will be the same. One has to follow the protocol put in place for the pandemic," he concluded.