India faces IPL question as Covid crisis hits country

SIMON HUGHES: The IPL’s collective effort can help India overcome this Covid crisis both physically and mentally. It would be a mistake to suspend it now

As India heads for 500,000 new Covid infections per day, can the IPL – which to some is just a gratuitous money-making machine – carry on? What will be the Indian government’s approach especially now that some players – most notably Ravichandran Ashwin, have at least temporarily departed to be with their families?

That is one issue discussed on the latest Analyst Inside cricket podcast. Meanwhile we also marvel at the amazing springtime weather in England which has facilitated 38 centuries in the County Championship, numerous unseasonal totals of over 400 and leg-spinners in the wickets.

The crucial issue facing the Indian authorities however is whether to allow the razzamatazz of the IPL to continue while people are dying in city streets because hospitals have run out of beds or oxygen. The general view amongst the powers that be – namely Narendra Modi’s government and the IPL owners – is that the tournament should continue for the moment.

“The Government are focused on keeping it going as it has such a positive impact on mental health when everyone is locked down,” says one prominent IPL figure. You can understand the logic of that. The IPL is an important distraction with the misery and tragedy being experienced around the country.

But there’s another perhaps more important reason why it makes sense for the tournament to carry on, and there was evidence it was being utilised at the Feroz Shah Kotla stadium in Delhi today. The audience for the IPL is massive – some matches pass 300million viewers. If you want to reach a third of the country with important messaging or information it is as good a platform as you’re going to get. You’ve secured everyone’s attention.

Hence the opportunity was taken to preach to the public at the end of the strategic timeout. A sequence of commentators led by the distinguished Harsha Bhogle, and including Kevin Pietersen and Sunil Gavaskar, delivered some carefully scripted lines about social distancing, mask wearing and getting vaccinated. “Stay home and stay safe,” said Gavaskar sombrely to camera before the match resumed with Kolkata Knight Riders chasing 124 to beat Punjab Kings.

It was powerful stuff and it is likely to have just as much influence – if not more – than from any government official. The likes of Gavaskar are virtually deities to the Indian populace and what they say and do carries huge sway. The next step will be to get Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni and Rishabh Pant to do the same. They have a reach and influence that global politicians can only dream of.

The other effect is a financial one. Some franchises are already directing some of their funds into special Covid appeals and more will follow suit, as will players emulating Pat Cummins’ brilliant initial gesture of donating $50,000 to hospitals to purchase desperately-needed extra oxygen supplies.

The IPL’s collective effort can help India overcome this Covid crisis both physically and mentally. It would be a mistake to suspend it now.

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