The cash-rich tournament saw players and staff members, who should have been secure in the 'bio-bubble' were seen infected with the coronavirus.
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 saw it getting suspended due to the rising outbreak of COVID-19 in India and even among players.
The cash-rich tournament saw players and staff members, who should have been secure in the 'bio-bubble' were seen infected with the coronavirus. Over the course of the last two days, two KKR players Varun Chakravarthy and Sandeep Warrier tested positive for Covid-19.
CSK`s bowling coach L Balaji, batting coach Mike Hussey and one bus cleaner also tested positive for the virus.
On Tuesday, SRH`s wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha and Delhi Capitals' Amit Mishra also tested positive for the virus and these cases and the safety of those involved in the league saw the BCCI put an end to the ongoing season of the IPL.
Soon after the postponement of IPL, players have started returning to their respective homes and BCCI is taking all measures to send foreign players back safely.
Amid this, Indian skipper Virat Kohli's photos have gone viral. Let's have a look.
1. Virat Kohli returns home
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Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) skipper Virat Kohli was clicked out of the bio-bubble and seen returning back home with wife Anushka Sharma and daughter Vamika.
With players from different franchises contacting the virus, no RCB player is reported to have been affected.
Soon the photos of Virat returning home became viral on social media.
(Photo credit: Viral Bhayani Instagram)
2. Good season for RCB
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The 2021 season was going well for RCB as out of the total of 7 matches they played, they had won 5 and lost just 2.
The team was considered to be the title contender this year, but with the postponement of the tournament, the side will have to wait for IPL to return.
3. Anushka Sharma hints at starting 'a movement' with Virat Kohli amid COVID-19 crisis
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Anushka Sharma had stayed away from social media, and even Virat Kohli did not post a birthday wish for her on May 1. However, on Sunday, she took to her Instagram page and shared a video thanking everyone for their wishes.
But she also said that it was not the right thing for her to celebrate it and hinted at starting 'a movement' with their initiative.
Anushka stated, "Hi guys, I hope you're safe. I just want to say a big thank you all for all the lovely birthday wishes it truly made my day special. But in the midst of all this pain and suffering, it just did not feel right for me to celebrate my birthday. But I've seen your special messages to me and now I have an important message for you."
The actor further said, "I would like to appeal to everyone to unite and support our country in this hour of crisis Virat and I are coming together to do our bit. We will share details soon so that you can also become part of this movement. Remember, we are all in this together. Guys, please stay safe and take care of yourself. Thank you."
4. Possible window of resumption of IPL 2021
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Brijesh Patel, the chairman of the IPL Governing Council (GC) has said that the administration is looking at a September window for the resumption of the IPL, before or after the ICC T20 World Cup, which is slated to take place in the October-November window later this year in India only.
Talking to The Times of India, Patel said, "The Covid situation in the country is currently grim, so it is too early to say when the tournament will resume. Also, there are various other factors that need to be considered. The FTP (Future Tour Programme) needs to be taken into consideration. We’ll have to wait and see if we’ll get a window before or after the T20 World Cup."
5. Focus on World Test Championship
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After the suspension of the Indian Premier League (IPL), all focus will now shift to the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) where Team India led by skipper Virat Kohli is set to contest in the final against Kane Williamson's New Zealand which is scheduled to take place at Southampton from June 18.
BCCI is set to send the Indian men to England early amid the travel restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic.
