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SPORTS MAY 07, 2021 | The Indian Eye 46

the major reasons for the BCCI of the members of the Chennai
and the IPL Governing Council Super Kings (CSK) contingent
to unanimously decide on the tested positive, two Kolkata
postponement of the league on Knight Riders players tested
Tuesday. positive -- Varun Chakravarthy
Mumbai Indians also in- and Sandeep Warrier -- forcing
formed that all Mumbai and the BCCI to postpone the KKR-
Ahmedabad-based players and RCB game in Ahmedabad.
support staff members will re- With Saha testing positive,
turn home via Ahmedabad on a the game on Tuesday evening
charter flight. between SRH and defending
“Indian players have em- champions Mumbai Indians
barked on their journey back to also needed to be postponed.
their hometowns. All Covid-19
related travel & safety protocols ‘special countrY’ is
have been diligently adhered,” suFFerinG: Buttler
Mumbai Indians tweeted. Amid the rampant second
“Mumbai & Ahmedabad Covid-19 wave in the country,
based players and support staff Joss Buttler England and Rajasthan Royals
members will return home via batsman Jos Buttler has said
Ahmedabad on a charter flight. “Star India supports BCCI’s that India is going through dif-
The Cabin crew has completed decision to postpone IPL 2021. ficult times and he also urged
7 days quarantine at the team The health and safety of play- everyone to stay safe.
hotel in Delhi,” it added. ers, staff and everyone involved “India is a special country
in the IPL are of paramount im- going through a very difficult
star sports humBled BY portance. We thank the BCCI, time. Thank you for welcom-
viewer response IPL Governing Council, play- ing me and my family like you
The 14th edition of the In- ers, franchisees and sponsors always do. Please stay safe and
dian Premier League (IPL) for their support,” said Star In- look after yourselves,” tweet-
kick-started on April 9 just five dia in an official statement. ed Buttler. SunRisers Hyder-
months after the conclusion of abad’s Director of Cricket Tom
the 13th edition of the tourna- holder urGes india to Moody also urged everyone in
ment. But still, the viewership Battle it toGether India to stay safe and take all
numbers skyrocketed as Star SunRisers Hyderabad precautions to curb the spread
India network garnered a cu- (SRH) all-rounder Jason Hold- of Covid-19.
mulative reach of 352 million Kieron Pollard er has expressed disappoint- “To those who are suffering
in the first 26 matches of the ment after the Indian Premier my heart is filled with love for
league this season as compared everyone involved and in line League (IPL) 2021 was post- you and your families, I pray
to 349 million in the corre- with the prevailing situation in poned. for your safety and well-being.
sponding number of matches the country,” said a Star Sports The IPL Governing Council Please do what you can to stay
in IPL 2020. spokesperson. (GC) and BCCI on Tuesday in at home and be safe. Thank
Since acquiring the media The IPL megacast with nine an emergency meeting unan- you for your kind support and
rights for the league, Star and different feeds in multiple lan- imously decided to postpone warm hospitality once again,
Disney India have tremen- guages along with broadcast IPL 2021. Holder also urged until we meet again, take care,”
dously grown the league year- innovations such as simulated the Indian fans to keep fight- tweeted Moody.
on-year. According to Star, the crowd sound and dynamic audio ing the COVID-19 battle as The England and Wales
upward trend reflects the loyal- kept viewers equally engaged as the West Indies all-rounder bid Cricket Board (ECB) on
ty of the fans and the populari- the last season. The Star India adios to the 2021 season. Wednesday had confirmed that
ty of the IPL. But they are also network had earlier announced “Sad that the tournament eight of the 11 English players
clear that despite the numbers, that it had clocked 323 mil- had to be postponed but always who were playing in the 14th
postponing the league was the lion* total impressions for the great playing in the @iplt20. To edition of the Indian Premier
right decision with an eye on opening match of IPL 2021. the people of India I urge you League had returned home af-
the COVID-19 situation. “We Star India backed the Board to keeping fighting this battle ter the season was postponed
are humbled with the response of Control for Cricket in India’s together and I wish you all the on Tuesday.
to IPL 2021. While it’s hearten- (BCCI) decision to postpone very best. @sunrisershyd until Speaking to ANI, Danny
ing to know that more viewers the 14th edition of the IPL on we meet again,” Holder cap- Reuben -- head of team com-
tuned in to watch this IPL sea- Tuesday. tioned the post on Instagram. munication for the England
son than the one in 2020 (at the Star India, the broadcast- On Tuesday, SRH wick- cricket team -- confirmed that
same stage of the tournament), ers of the showpiece event, et-keeper Wriddhiman Saha while 8 players were back in the
we still believe that postponing thanked BCCI, IPL GC, and tested positive after there were UK, the remaining three play-
the season was the right de- franchises for their support COVID-19 cases in two fran- ers were set to leave India in
cision to ensure the safety of during the tournament. chises on Monday. While two the next 48 hours.

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