“It’s disappointing”: Graeme Smith slams double standards of players after IPL 2021 gets postponed

Graeme Smith slams double standards: The former South African captain isn’t too pleased with some players not making noise in IPL 2021.

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.

ALSO READ: Chris Morris recollects ordeals after players tested positive for COVID-19 in IPL 2021

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.

About the author

Dixit Bhargav

Born and brought up in Pathankot, Dixit Bhargav is an engineering and sports management graduate who works as a Cricket Editor at The SportsRush. Having written more than 10,000 articles across more than five years at TSR, his first cricketing memory dates back to 2002 when former India captain Sourav Ganguly had waved his jersey at the historic Lord’s balcony. What followed for an 8-year-old was an instant adulation for both Ganguly and the sport. The optimist in him is waiting for the day when Punjab Kings will win their maiden Indian Premier League title. When not watching cricket, he is mostly found in a cinema hall watching a Punjabi movie.

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