A prominent cricket publication from India has shared vital information pertaining to the IPL. It is of the view that where it comes to the UAE leg of the famous Indian Premier Legue, then there’s a close possibility, that the crowds might be allowed in the stadia. Usually speaking, whenever a contest takes place in the Emirates, then there are two stadiums used- the one in the Dubai city and the other in the city of Abu Dhabi. And at both of these places, which it isn’t be forgotten, are massive tourist destinations, the current COVID numbers seem far from threatening.
Perhaps one of the reasons as to why the top brass of the revered BCCI decided to hold the remainder of the 2021 IPL in the United Arab Emirates.
The following is what the news publication declared:
The vaccinated fans can be allowed up to 50 per cent of the [stadium] capacity,” a UAE board official said.
Meanwhile, the office-bearers of the BCCI have left for Dubai to finalise arrangements with the ECB as well as the UAE government. Board secretary Jay Shah, treasurer Arun Singh Dhumal, vice-president Rajeev Shukla and joint secretary Jayesh George are understood to have landed in Dubai on Monday (May 31).
Truth be told, while it’s interesting that the BCCI has intended to finish what it started- the IPL 2021 edition- what might not be too interesting would be to see the English and Australian players, or at least, some of them missing out. For to them, national duties come first.
Don’t be too surprised to see plenty of West Indians shore up at Dubai for completing a tournament that does look barren in their absence.
But in saying all of this, a question must be asked of the almighty and powerful BCCI- wasn’t hosting the IPL in UAE, and in entirety, a bright idea? What was the sense to organise it in a country which was, and still is, yet to trump in its battle against the virus? What considerable value did it even serve to stop the series mid-way even before the edition could reach the playoff stage?
Moreover, the player risk that one imposed on cricketers that weren’t, it must be duly remembered, of only Indian heritage?
Does the BCCI not owe an answer, forget apology, to those cricket-craving fans who may have misplaced their priorities in salivating after the desire to see T20 cricket happen in a very nation especially at a time where dozens and dozens of families lost their near and dear ones all thanks to the COVID plight?
Anyways, the show must go on and so the IPL 2021 will, presumably from mid September until early October. Even if that means that in the wake of organising the IPL 2021 in Dubai, BCCI conveniently picked over the phone and rang the South Africans telling them to not travel to India for the original white-ball series that had already been confirmed!
Not the greatest hit, you could say. But who can stop the ways of the mighty?