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Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma agreed with the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) decision to suspend the Indian Premier League 2021 amid a rampant second-wave of the coronavirus in India.
"In the light of everything that is happening around the country, I think it's a very good decision." - @rohitsharma45. Paltan, thank you for your unrelenting support throughout the tournament!
"Till we meet again, we hope you keep staying safe and strong. #OneFamily #MumbaiIndians #MI #IPL2021 #KhelTakaTak @MXTakaTak MI TV," Rohit said in a video message posted on social media by Mumbai Indians.
MI's pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah said, "It's unfortunate that the tournament had to stop midway but I think it was in everybody's best interest to take care of everybody's safety and well-being."
Jayawardene to complete quarantine in Maldives; Indian players on way home: MI
Mumbai Indians, on Thursday, said that their local stars have reached home while it has also ensured a safe passage for its Australian contingent to Maldives along with Sri Lankan head coach Mahela Jaywardene, who also will be quarantining there.
The five-time champions posted a series of tweets and shared the travel plans of its players and support staff.
"Indian players have embarked on their journey back to their hometowns. All Covid-19 related travel and safety protocols have been diligently adhered.
"Mumbai and Ahmedabad based players and support staff members will return home via Ahmedabad on a charter flight. The cabin crew has completed seven days quarantine at the team hotel in Delhi,” the franchise stated.
"Australian players and support staff members will fly to Maldives on a special charter. MI has made arrangements for their 14-day quarantine stay in Maldives before flying them back to Australia," it said.
The franchise has two Australian players – hard-hitting batsman Chris Lynn and pacer Nathan Coulter-Nile.
"Head coach Mahela Jayawardene will also complete his quarantine in Maldives before returning to Sri Lanka," it added.
The players and support staff from New Zealand, South Africa and the Caribbean will fly to Auckland, Johannesburg and Trinidad on their respective charter flights arranged by the franchise.
Among its foreigners, while swashbuckling all-rounder Kieron Pollard is from the West Indies, opener Quinton De Kock hails from South Africa.
Pacer Trent Boult and bowling coach Shane Bond are from New Zealand.
The postponement of IPL was announced by the BCCI after Sunrisers Hyderabad's wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha tested positive for COVID-19 along with Delhi Capitals' veteran spinner Amit Mishra.
On Monday, Chennai Super Kings bowling coach L Balaji along with Kolkata Knight Riders bowlers Sandeep Warrier and Varun Chakravarthy had also returned positive results.