As such, Former cricketer-turned-broadcaster Michael Atherton feels that the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 might have been one of the reasons why the fifth and last Test between Britain and India was canceled after the going by the camp was hit by Covid-19 on the eve of the match.
The second half of IPL 2021 is due to begin on September 19, just four days. After the scheduled Manchester Test was due to end. Such a tight schedule was always aiming to make it troublesome. For the players to play, travel and alter to conditions.
The ECB at first said within the explanation that India had relinquished the match but afterward withdrawn that.
However, the Indian board said the well-being of the players was of “paramount importance”. Which the match would be rescheduled at a later date without elaborating when that can be. The guests lead the 5-match series 2-1.
But Atherton figures there are numerous reasons for the cancellation and IPL 2021 might be one of them.
England squad
“Typically very similar to what happened in South Africa amid Christmastime with the Britain squad. The players appeared to have an extreme reluctance to play but the chairmen from both sides needed the game to go ahead.
“They are attempting to arrange but the players are hesitant, especially these days with player control which will carry the day.
“There are two things that are distinctive from final Christmas, one is the vaccinations which weren’t there at that point but are there presently and furthermore, the IPL which could be a huge thing hanging over. IPL has continuously been the enormous thing hanging over this Test.
“IPL was canceled in May and rescheduled in UAE four days after this Test. And the fear with Lancashire authorities was that if Covid did come with IPL hanging on the back of it, what influence would that have on this game.
“They (BCCI) wanted this last Test moved to the start of the series, that was the story three-four months ago. But because of The Hundred and various other things the ECB was reluctant to move this game. So there has always been a kind of cloud hanging over this Test and unfortunately, the cloud has released its contents,” said Atherton
Read more: Australian cricketers are present for the 2nd phase of Indian Premier League: IPL 2021
Visit also: IPL 2021: Virat Kohli Becomes First Batsman To Score 6000 Runs in match