IPL 2021: #CancelIPL trends on Twitter after Varun Chakravarthy, 9 others test positive

Already at the receiving end of much criticism from certain sections, the BCCI will now have to contend with the teams and players' growing unease over the IPL 2021 as well. The board's decision to push on with the tournament even as the deadly second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic played out right outside its stadiums and hotels has already raised questions, even within its own fraternity. With the hashtag 'Cancel IPL' trending on Twitter after the Varun Chakravarthy COVID news, the board has had to deal with a rise in clamour against it.

'Cancel IPL' trends as movement to cancel tournament grows on Twitter

While thousands in the country have struggled and died for lack of access to adequate healthcare, the IPL's employment of medical teams, excessive use of testing kits and deployment of police personnel at stadiums have all been called out as being tone-deaf and privileged. While the BCCI has maintained that the bio-bubbles are extremely effective and safe, the tournament has been in a spot of bother since the withdrawal of several international players earlier this week.  The Varun Chakravarthy Covid report, coupled with sources saying that KKR bowler Pat Cummins may also be infected despite testing negative, may lead to many more players pulling out of the tournament, leaving teams with less than the required number of players. While not a massive issue just yet, any further rise in the number of cases could cause the BCCI to postpone more than just one match. Here's how fans reacted to the possibility of the IPL being cancelled for the first time in its history.

Cancel IPL
Players and staffs safety must be the primary concern @BCCI https://t.co/gCygwXviyY

— Dhiu 💙 (@lovablesoul12)

After players coming positive !

Cancel IPL pic.twitter.com/JlO4nnnMYz

— Neelkant_Agr (@neelkantmani)

Hold playoffs between CSK,DC,MI,RCB and cancel IPL.

Decide the trophy winner by conducting a mini tournament between four teams.#cancelipl2021
😃

— Avs Sridhar (@AvsSridhar2)

IPL 2021: CSK latest news

According to the IPL latest news, three members of the Chennai Super Kings camp have also tested positive for the virus. Among these are the team's CEO Kasi Vishwanathan, their bowling coach and a bus driver. However, other reports suggest that the three men actually returned false positives and have since tested negative, spreading even more uncertainty among the sides. To add to that, five groundsmen at the Arun Jaitley Stadium have also contracted the virus as per InsideSport. While the team has confirmed that all players are negative, an official decision on the IPL cancelled demands is expected. 

Image Credits: AP