Indian Premier League 2021 getting postponed after several players and support staff tested positive for COVID-19, a lot of statements have been made concerning the reasons behind the bio-bubble breach and what lies ahead for the competition. Read below to know the Graeme Smith Comments on Double Standards in IPL.
South Africa’s Director of Cricket, Graeme Smith talked about IPL’s postponement while commenting on ‘the double standards of some players participating in the league. Former South African skipper said that there were players who were playing in the IPL, but was sitting and not talking about the alarming surge in coronavirus in India.
Graeme Smith Points Out ‘Double Standards’ In Certain Players After IPL Suspension
“You see some of those players sitting there at the IPL and not making any noise. Having had the experience of things here, you see some things differently, and [you see] a version of double standards. It’s disappointing,” Graeme Smith said as quoted by Cricbuzz.
“Sometimes you can do whatever you want but the BSE – as we’ve said to everyone – is never foolproof. When Covid is raging in your country there’s always a risk. Unfortunately, once it gets inside it’s very difficult to predict what’s going to happen,” Smith added.
Graeme Smith went on to say that he had word with South African cricketers who were part of the Indian Premier League and said that they felt safe.
“In no way would we judge. Having spoken to the players, they felt safe. They felt the BSE [Bio-Secure Environment] was a really good experience in India. They never felt at risk. But that’s the nature of what Covid brings.” He concluded.
Australian players, coaching staff and match officials have been transported to the Maldives following the suspension of the IPL while Australia maintains a ban on travellers from India, including its own citizens, until May 15.
The Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) stands to lose more than Rs 2,000 crore as a result of the event’s postponement. President Sourav Ganguly has defended the decision to hold the event in the midst of a raging pandemic. BCCI is currently planning to locate the second half of the UAE, UK, or Australia tournament.
Also read: “Such mismatch series should not take place”- Ramiz Raja On Pakistan vs Zimbabwe Series
