IPL 2021: Did players refuse COVID vaccination prior to tournament?
The Indian Premier League 2021 was suspended last week after multiple COVID breaches in the team bubbles. It has increased the drive for players to get vaccinated as soon as possible. But the question is that why wasn't it done before the tournament?
FollowThe Indian cricket fraternity remains standstill following the indefinite suspension of the 2021 Indian Premier League after various breaches in the team bubbles due to COVID. As many as three franchises were affected, around eight participating members got infected.
It comes when the nation is going through the severe second wave of the pandemic. As a result, it has triggered the drive among players to get vaccinated, as many contemporary Indian cricketers are receiving their vaccine shot.
However, many wonder why this vaccination drive was not conducted before the tournament? Although the Board of Control for Cricket in India had contemplated the same, The Times of India reports that many players refused to get vaccinated despite being unofficially offered shots by their franchises.
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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," a source told the publication.
It was also revealed that a few of the overseas players were keen to get vaccinated but could not get it done as it wouldn't have been legal. "Foreigners, especially many members of the support staff, were keen to take the vaccine. But, it wasn't possible to vaccinate them," the source concluded.
Meanwhile, Prasidh Krishna and Wirddhiman Saha are the two players who tested positive and are racing against time to return with a negative test. They are scheduled to travel to Mumbai on May 25, where they would undergo three new tests before flying out to England on June 2 for the ICC World Test Championship final against New Zealand in Southampton.
NOTE: Asianet News humbly requests everyone to wear masks, sanitise, maintain social distancing and get vaccinated as soon as eligible. Together we can and will break the chain #ANCares #IndiaFightsCorona
