IPL players told ‘you are playing for humanity’ in midst of Covid pandemic

• Chief executive sends email stating you are safe in bubble'
• Eleven England players still remain in Covid-crisis country

Cricketers at the ongoing Indian Premier League have been told they are playing for humanity" and remain totally safe" within the confines of the tournament's bio-secure bubble as organisers look to stave off further departures.

The IPL's continuation during India's huge second wave of Covid-19 cases - one that has seen daily recorded cases top 350,000 in the past week - is coming under scrutiny after Ravichandran Ashwin and three Australians, Adam Zampa, Kane Richardson and Andrew Tye, opted to leave their franchises.