Not Just a ‘Bio’ Bubble

For many in India, cricket is akin to a religion, and it is no surprise that the Indian Premier League (IPL) is the most popular cricketing “festival.” The IPL has been an important platform to unearth and display real Indian talent—players who go on to make a name for themselves in the international circuit. It is a tournament that provides the best facilities to help groom the players and make their game stronger. Like many others, I too follow cricket quite religiously. There are cricketers whom I like not just as sports­persons but also for their sportsmanship and conduct—how they carry themselves both on and off the field.

However, as a cricket enthusiast, the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic has forced me to rethink how I see cricket. The entire world is witness to how the deadly pandemic has affected human lives, livelihoods, health, education, and economies across the globe. It has made us question the way we conduct ourselves in our daily lives and in our interactions with the environment. It has engulfed most of humanity, making us rethink our purpose as living beings. It has been terrifying to see the pandemic wreaking havoc, claiming millions of lives across the globe. It has put stops on hyperlocal and international mobility. Naturally then, sport, like everything else, has been significantly affected. In response, over the last several months, sporting bodies and authorities have redefined and reorganised the way sports are played and consumed. It has been the same with cricket too, and the IPL began with strict COVID-19 protocols, including “bio-bubbles,” to ensure that the tournament is played without risking the safety of those involved.