IPL 2021: Referee Manu Nayyar pulls out of tournament after his mother's demise

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 saw many players and referees leave the cash-rich tournament mid-way due to COVID-19 and personal reasons. This time match referee Manu Nayyar has decided to pull out of the IPL 2021 after his mother passed away in a tragic way. 

The 56-year-old, who was in Ahmedabad, for the second leg of the tournament, exited the bio-secure bubble for the match officials as he had to go back to Delhi after he received the news. 

Nayyar was involved in the match between the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and the Delhi Capitals (DC) on Tuesday, April 27. The match was won by RCB by just one run in a nail-biting finish. Nayyar left the bubble the day after as his mother passed away in her sleep. 

"It happened last night as she didn’t wake up in the morning. Manu Nayyar left the bubble and is in Delhi today. We are not sure if he will join the bubble again," an IPL source close to the development said according to Indian Express. 

About Nayyar joining again for this season of the IPL, nothing can be said. If he does decide to come back then he will have to serve a mandatory seven days quarantine period. 

Nayyar had himself played for Delhi between 1986 and 1994 season in domestic cricket. He became a match referee in 2017. 

Earlier, umpire Nitin Menon also pulled out of the tournament after his mother and wife got tested positive for COVID-19. It was informed that there is a small child at home, who needs to be taken care of.

Australian umpire Paul Reiffel also wanted to leave the tournament but got stranded with no flights to his country. He will now travel with other Australians who are involved in the league as players, coaches, or media personnel.