Several IPL players have withdrawn from the tournament – either because of ‘personal reasons’ or because living in the ‘bio bubble’ was too difficult. Then there have been those who have called for the cancellation of the tournament simply because they feel it incongruous to continue given the scale of the COVID crisis in India. And now two players tested positive leading to the cancellation of match no. 30. So should they #CancelIPL?
On 3rd May, this hashtag was trending, probably because of the news about the cancellation of the KKR versus RCB match scheduled for that day. Cricket fans were obviously disappointed.
There has been significant pushback against the continuation of the IPL, particularly in the worst affected cities such as Delhi. Matches are played here at the Feroz Shah Kotla ground, close to some of the cremation Ghats, which is seen as particularly obscene and callous at this time.
Some feel that people supporting IPL teams that are not doing well are asking for the tournament to be discontinued.
Currently Sun Risers Hyderabad are at the bottom of the points table. People feel that they may not mind if the IPL was scraped.
Supporters of teams that are doing well may be less interested in having the IPL stopped.
They would be disappointed.
They have waited a long time for their team to perform as well as it has in this edition of the IPL.
DC, CSK, RCB and MI have been doing better than the others so far. Their hopes would be dashed.
While as of now there is no news of Pat Cummins testing positive, two KKR players have tested positive and this has an impact on others as well.
There are fans who want the IPL to continue.
Cricket fans believe that this isn't just a game, it is an emotion! As such, they would like the IPL to continue, regardless of anything else.
Fans feel that cancelling at this point would be unfair to the spirit of the competition.
However, some cricket fans feel that the health and wellbeing of players is more important.
Postpone, don’t cancel, some fans have suggested.
The players are not the only people involved here – there are so many others whose life and health is being endangered. So, even if the IPL is providing some succour during these grim times, perhaps it can be played later? #CancelIPL seems to be good advice right now.
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