Reports: Cricketers in IPL 2021 refused to take COVID-19 vaccine

The Covid-19 pandemic forced the suspension of the 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), after a number of players tested positive for Covid-19. The likes of Varun Chakravarthy, Sandeep Warrier, Wridhimann Saha and Amit Mishra had contracted the disease, forcing the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to suspend the IPL.

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And now, a BCCI source has stated that many players did not take the Covid-19 vaccine in spite of being offered a chance to get themselves vaccinated. The source revealed that awareness was lacking.

The source further added that the players felt that the bio bubble was secure enough and they did not want to take the vaccine. The source also stated that the franchises too did not force the players to get themselves vaccinated, and suddenly the situation went beyond control.

The source concluded by stating that even though many foreigners were willing to take the vaccine, it was not possible to vaccinate them.

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"The players were simply reluctant about taking the vaccine when they were offered. It was not their fault, it was more about a lack of awareness. Players felt the bubble that they were in was secure enough and there was no need to take the vaccine.

“The franchises, too, didn't push for it. Then things suddenly spiralled out of control. Foreigners, especially many members of the support-staff, were keen to take the vaccine. But it wasn't possible to vaccinate them,” concluded the source.

Only 29 out of the 60 matches that were scheduled in the 14^th edition of the IPL could be completed. At the time of suspension, the Delhi Capitals (DC) side was occupying the top place in the points table, and had won 6 out of the 8 matches that they had played. On the other hand, the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) outfit was languishing at the last place after managing to muster just a solitary win in 7 outings.