IPL suspension may lead to World T20 being postponed or moved, says Ian Chappell
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was forced to postpone the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) after a number of players and support staff tested positive for the novel coronavirus. Thus, to ensure the safety of the other players and members involved in the T20 Championship, BCCI decided to suspend the league for an indefinite time.
India is scheduled to host the 2021 edition of the ICC T20 World Cup later this year in October and November. Despite the havoc created by the coronavirus in India, BCCI is confident of hosting the tournament in the country. However, the former Australian captain Ian Chappell doesn’t harbour the same thoughts.
Chappell believes that the postponement of IPL 2021 has made people aware of the vulnerability of the game due to the ongoing pandemic. The veteran is of the view that the suspension of IPL can also pave the way for the T20 World Cup to get postponed or shifted to some other venue. Notably, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has kept the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as the backup venue.
“The suspension of the 2021 IPL tournament because of surging Covid infections and deaths among the public, and a number of participants testing positive, was a reminder of the game’s vulnerability,” Chappell wrote in his column for ESPNcricinfo.
“In the current disastrous climate, the suspension of the IPL could also produce a precedent. It may lead to the World T20 event, programmed for India later in the year, either being postponed or moved,” he added.
In the past, tours have been aborted and match abandoned: Ian Chappell
Further in his column, Chappell recalled a few incidents when the gentleman’s game was disrupted due to a variety of reasons in the past. The 77-year-old reflected on the 1970-71 Boxing Day Test between Australia and England that was suspended due to excess rainfall and paved the way for the 50-over format.
“In the past, tours have been aborted and matches abandoned for a variety of reasons. Many of these involved backstories, some of which were tragic and others amusing. In 1970-71 the MCG Boxing Day Test between Australia and England was abandoned without a ball being bowled after heavy rain ruined any chance of a competitive match.
“That led to the first-ever ODI being played in lieu of the Test in an effort to recoup some of the lost revenue. The match was agreed between officials of both countries without the players being consulted, and this angered many in the England camp,” the former captain concluded.
