Graeme Smith slams double standards: The former South African captain isn’t too pleased with some players not making noise in IPL 2021.
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With the biggest T20 competition around the world in Indian Premier League 2021 getting postponed after several players and support staff tested positive for COVID-19, a lot of statements have been made with respect to the reasons behind the bio-bubble breach and what lies ahead for the competition.
With all of this happening earlier this week, BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) would require a lot more time before making arrangements for the remainder of IPL 2021. The same will, however, require substantial efforts to arrange for a place in the cricketing calendar and the venue.
Speaking in a conversation with Cricbuzz, former South Africa captain and current Director of Cricket at Cricket South Africa Graeme Smith refrained from making a judgement regarding the suspension of IPL 2021 midway through the season.
“In no way would we judge. Having spoken to the players, they felt safe. They felt the BSE [Bio-Secure Environment] was a really good experience in India. They never felt at risk. But that’s the nature of what Covid brings,” Smith was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.
Graeme Smith slams double standards of players after IPL 2021 gets postponed
Smith, 40, did make it a point to slam the double standards of players who didn’t “make noise” about the danger of playing an eight-team tournament in India amidst an unprecedented spike in the number of COVID-19 cases in the country.
“You see some of those players sitting there at the IPL and not making any noise. Having had experience of things here you do see some things differently, and [you see] a version of double standards. It’s disappointing,” Smith said.
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While Smith didn’t take names, he is expected to be taking a dig at the Australian players. Australia, who were scheduled to play a three-match Test series in South Africa earlier this year, has refused from traveling to South Africa due to concerns around COVID-19.
“We are extremely disappointed by the decision of CA. CSA has been working tirelessly in recent weeks to ensure that we meet every single expectation of CA. So to be informed about the CA decision at the 11th hour is frustrating,” Smith had said in a statement issued after the Test series was canceled earlier this year.
