A new report in Times of India said that the Indian players were against vaccinated before the IPL 2021 season began. As per the report, players had the option of taking the vaccine before the IPL started in April but most of them were reluctant. Instead, the cricketers banked upon the safety of bio-bubble to keep the virus threat at bay.
On the other end, the foreign players in various franchises were eager to get vaccinated but the BCCI could not provide them so on legal grounds. As it ultimately turned out, the season was suspended after players from several franchises tested COVID positive.
Players Were Reluctant To Be Vaccinated Before IPL 2021: Sources
“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. Foreigners, especially many members of the support-staff, were keen to take the vaccine. But it wasn’t possible to vaccinate them,” a TOI source said.
As per the report, the players were mostly apprehensive of developing fever that could deter their practice sessions ahead of the start of the tournament.
“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,” the source added.
Meanwhile, now reports are coming out as to how the virus entered to different bio-bubbles. It is believed that the virus contaminated the KKR camp after Varun Chakravarthy had gone out for a CT Scan. Meanwhile, the virus breached the CSK bubble at the airport when the team had flown to Delhi from Mumbai.
“Yes we were in charter flights. Still the small private terminals were full of CISF and airline staff and we had no clue about their Covid status,” the source asserted.
Delhi and Mumbai are among the worst COVID-affected cities in the country. Several groundsmen at the Arun Jaitley stadium tested positive triggering questions over BCCI’s decision to organise the T20 league in the middle of a raging pandemic.
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