'IPL sankat mein hai': Fans worried as COVID-19 situation worsens in India

As the Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to mark its return to India after a gap of two years, the COVID-19 situation in the country might be on the cusp of disrupting it all. As many as 93,249 cases were reported in the country in the last 24 hours, with 513 deaths. It is the highest single-day spike in the number of cases since September 19, 2020.

In particular, the situation in the state of Maharashtra is getting worsened day by day. With Mumbai set to host 10 matches from April 10 to April 25, the COVID-19 scare on the Indian Premier League (IPL) is deepening by the day. Despite the same, the BCCI has denied moving out the games from the city saying that it is too late now.

On Sunday, Royal Challengers Bangalore opening batsman Devdutt Padikkal also tested positive taking the player count to three. As Delhi Capitals' all-rounder Axar Patel also tested positive for the coronavirus one day before. While most of the cases until now were emerging from Mumbai where the surge has been rapid in COVID-19 cases, the Royal Challengers Bangalore are in Chennai where they will play the tournament opener against the defending champions Mumbai Indians.

Earlier, Kolkata Knight Riders batsman Nitish Rana had tested positive for COVID-19, but returned a negative test a few days ago and trained for the first time with the team on Saturday. 10 groundsmen at the Wankhede Stadium and a member of the Chennai Super Kings content team also tested positive.

With the number of cases rising rapidly across the nation, the fans were left worried as to if IPL will be postponed or cancelled. Many users even suggested if there's any chance of the tournament getting affected because of the coronavirus, the BCCI should take the decision now instead of having to do it midway if it gets worse during the tournament. Here are some of the reactions:

93k + corona cases in a single day.
First Axar & now #Devduttpadikkal tested positive.... #CoronavirusIndia pic.twitter.com/cSyjfzUwZ8

— Abhishek Tripathi (@Abhithecomic) April 4, 2021

Things are slowly getting out of control here in #IPL2021 bio-bubble..@BCCI needs to either find a way or jst postpone it fr d betterment of player especially for. playrs..Its going to b d biggst chlnge 4 BCCI to conduct 2 mnth lng tournmnt in d middle of rising #COVID19 curve https://t.co/Fo7a7GZzJJ

— Weirdly_Gripping (@TanmaySingh08) April 4, 2021

It looks like IPL is going to postpone. Already few players have been found position and it will rise from here as per situation is in India currently. #IPL2021 #BCCI

— Abhishek Kumar singh (@Abhishek_singhr) April 4, 2021

@askBCCI @BCCI
Already three players tested covid positive
I have question
Is it full #IPL2021 #IPL will happen or like PSL League will postpone

— Akshay Tank (@tank_akshay) April 4, 2021

I may look fine but deep down I'm worrying "IPL postpone na hojaye " #CSK #IPL2021

— BENIWAL ASTIC  (@BeniwalAstic) April 4, 2021

#IPL2021 should postpone this yr , its already happen recently why should we do it now as case are rising or @BCCI shd have transfer to UAE or other palce, it will shame if we cancel in midway.

— Dear India (@india_dear) April 3, 2021

If BCCI wants to postpone or cancel this year's IPL, I hope they come up with the news early than wait for the day ahead of the start of the tournament as that's how late they releases official statements...
#IPL2021

— Abhijith S (@Abhi_mania) April 3, 2021