BCCI president on Sunday stated that the board will get in touch with the Health Ministry, requesting anti-Covid vaccination of the players who are participating in the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
“BCCI is mulling over the idea of vaccination and they will get in touch with the Health Ministry that players should be vaccinated,” said Rajeev Shukla, Vice President, BCCI.
The IPL tournament will begin on April 9 and the opening game will witness defending champions Mumbai Indians contending with Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore at Chennai's MA Chidambaram Stadium.
Increasing coronavirus cases in India has made the Indian cricket board consider covid vaccination for players ahead of the new season. The BCCI Vice President said that getting vaccinated is the 'only solution' to cope with the increase in the number of cases.’
"To cope with this coronavirus rise, I think the only solution is to get vaccinated. BCCI is also thinking on those lines that players should be vaccinated. Nobody knows when coronavirus is going to end and you can't give a deadline that by this time frame, it will not be there so players can play easily. So, I think, now we will have to think over that. Vaccination should be done for the players also," Shukla told ANI.
“Cases are increasing, so BCCI has taken all precautions for IPL. Only 6 venues have been kept for the tournament, bio-bubble has been created, members of the squad have also been increased. The tournament will go on without any audience,” Shukla further added.
Earlier on Saturday, it was reported that the IPL Governing Council (GC) is pondering on shifting the Mumbai matches to some other venue, with Hyderabad and Indore on standby amid the daily spike in the coronavirus cases in Maharashtra.
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"We are keeping a close eye on each venue regarding Covid-19 cases, as of now no decision has been taken but Indore and Hyderabad are on standby. Will see what to be done, health and safety of players are of utmost importance," a source had told ANI.
Earlier, Delhi Capitals' Axar Patel and 10 members of the ground staff at Wankhede stadium and six event managers, deployed by the BCCI, have contracted novel coronavirus.