BCCI faced with logistical challenges after IPL 2021 postponement

Ever since the 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) was postponed, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has been faced with a lot of challenges. Due to the travel restrictions to and from India, the players are left stranded and the Indian board is scratching its heads over logistical issues.

The logistical managers, and CEOs of the teams, and the BCCI, have been working tirelessly to organise flights and obtain permissions for chartered flights to send back the foreign players. The fact that players and staff from four out of eight franchises have tested positive for COVID-19 hasn’t helped their cause either.

As per reports, the ones not tested for the novel coronavirus can’t travel with players from the other four teams. To make matters worse, the franchises have found a shortage of flights to India to fly the cricketers out and a plan was formed to hire a private aircraft from Dubai.

“We have been planning since Tuesday afternoon and the plans have been changing every half an hour,” a Punjab Kings official was quoted as saying in Cricbuzz.

“We’re trying our best, but we don’t have clarity on this so far,” a Sunrisers Hyderabad manager mentioned on Tuesday.

BCCI trying its heart out for players’ safety

In the meantime, Mumbai Indians have managed chartered flights for their foreign cricketers and also offered players from other franchises to join them. Moreover, the BCCI is also coordinating with other boards to obtain permissions from the government.

On May 5, Ricky Ponting, the Delhi Capitals’ head coach, said that some Australian cricketers were at the airport in Ahmedabad to fly to the Maldives from there they will go home after quarantining for 10 days. “We are at the Ahmedabad airport and leaving for the Maldives. Fingers crossed,” Ponting said.

Earlier, IPL COO Hemang Amin stated that the board will take a sigh of relief only when the players reach their respective homes in the ongoing pandemic.

“The BCCI will do everything to ensure that you reach your respective destinations seamlessly. The BCCI is monitoring the situation very closely and is working with the government authorities to make arrangements to get you home once the tournament concludes.

“Be rest assured that the tournament is not over for BCCI till each one of you has reached your home, safe and sound,” he wrote in a letter.