IPL 2021 to go ahead with restrictions in Mumbai, confirms Maharashtra Cabinet Minister Nawab Malik

The Maharashtra government on Sunday announced new restrictions, including a weekend lockdown and a night curfew from 8pm on April 5 due to the rapid rise in the coronavirus cases in the state.

Indian Premier League 2021 matches in Mumbai will go ahead as planned despite the rising cases of COVID-19 in the city, cabinet minister Nawab Malik confirmed on Monday. 10 matches will be played at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai during the first leg of IPL 2021. Fans won't be allowed inside the stadium and only relays can be done, the minister added. Players and others involved in the tournament will be required to isolate themselves at the same place. Notably, IPL had to be shifted abroad to the United Arab Emirates last year due to the coronavirus-forced lockdown in India in March. The tournament was played across 3 cities - Sharjah, Dubai, Abu Dhabi - without fans in a bio-secure environment.