Amidst player exits, fans debate whether the IPL 2021 should continue

In the past few weeks, India has not only seen a vicious resurgence of the coronavirus pandemic but has also seen the beginning of yet another exciting IPL season. Due to the rising number of cases as well as deaths due to the virus, the IPL has no doubt been affected by the dire health crisis in the country.

Already, the IPL 2021 has seen the exit of five players from the tournament, some who wish to support their families in this time of need, and a few foreign players who are afraid of being banned from traveling back to their home countries.

Amidst these player exits, the fans have taken to Twitter to express their opinions about the ultimate fate of IPL 2021.

Should IPL 2021 be cancelled?

There is a clear divide amongst the fans – while some believe that the continuation of IPL 2021 is quite insensitive, given the health crisis that’s ravaging the country, others believe that the IPL has proven to be the one welcome escape for people who are fighting off the virus at home.

Both watching the IPL as well as enjoying additional IPL related entertainment such as fantasy gaming or Indian betting sites that allow sports betting can be a good distraction for people who are stuck in lockdowns. The IPL could certainly be good for their mental health and morale!

There is obvious merit in both arguments. Given the seriousness of the pandemic in the country, the jovial advertisements and social media campaigns for the IPL do come off as insensitive. However, the outright cancellation of the tournament may not be the answer.

Instead, the IPL and its star power can be put to good use. The IPL and its resources can surely be used to raise awareness about the pandemic, to raise money for healthcare facilities and oxygen supplies for the country, and it can be made a tool to encourage people to adhere to lockdowns and curfews.

In fact, Pat Cummins from KKR has gone ahead and made a generous donation to the PM Cares Fund to help contribute towards India’s fight against Covid. Even Cummins believes that cancelling the IPL would not be the correct approach to take.

“Of course there’s an aspect that playing every night for three-four hours hopefully contributes to people staying home as it has been a hard routine for them and we can help them get through each day,” Pat Cummins commented.

Additionally, Rajasthan Royals has also contributed 7.5 crores for Covid relief in India, which is a move that has been appreciated by many fans across the country.

Thus, most people think that the IPL 2021 can do more good than harm right now. When asked about the probable cancellation of the IPL 2021, Sourav Ganguly, the president of BCCI has confirmed that the IPL will continue as per schedule for now.

The BCCI has also stressed that any players that do not wish to continue will be offered any help they require in quitting this year’s tournament and returning to their homes and families.

However, the one thing that fans should expect from the BCCI is to make sure that they do not tie up all the frontline workers in the IPL. At a time when the country needs all of its healthcare fighters, keeping a huge part of that force catering only to a few cricket teams may not be the best call.

As long as the IPL 2021 does not use more healthcare resources than they need, it could actually prove to be a great way to keep the Indian public at home, while also keeping their mental health safe.