IPL 2021: Felt most vulnerable in this bubble says, Adam Zampa

Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa decided to quit the IPL midway stating it was the “most vulnerable” bio-bubble he has been a part of. He also added that he feels the tournament should have taken place in the UAE just like last year.

Zampa and Kane Richardson, who were a part of the Royal Challengers Bangalore squad had pulled out of the tournament citing personal reasons. 

Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, Zampa said he felt a lot safer in the UAE where the last edition of the IPL had taken place.

“We’ve been in a few (bubbles) now, and I feel like this is probably the most vulnerable. I just feel like because it’s India, we’re always being told about the hygiene over here and being extra careful… I just felt like it was the most vulnerable.

“The IPL that was held in Dubai six months ago didn’t feel that way at all. I felt like that was extremely safe. Personally, I feel like that would have been a better option originally for this IPL, but obviously, there’s a lot of political stuff that goes into it.

“Obviously there’s the T20 World Cup that’s meant to be happening here later this year. That’s probably going to be the next discussion in the cricket world. Six months is a long time,” said the leg-spinner.

Zampa, who was initially Rs 1.5 crore, and is yet to play a game. He said that a lot of factors contributed to his decision to leave the IPL.

“Obviously the COVID situation over here is pretty dire. I just felt, rocking up to training and stuff, obviously, I wasn’t playing in the team as well, I was going to training and I wasn’t finding the motivation.

“There were a few other things like bubble fatigue and the chance to get home, once all the news broke about the flights and everything. I thought this was the best time to make the call.”

Since the second wave of the corona virus has hit India so badly, there is a huge debate surrounding whether or not IPL should in fact continue. 

Speaking on this very uncertainty, Zampa said: “There’s a lot of people coming out and saying games of cricket could be a reprieve for some people but that’s also going to be a personal answer.

“Someone who has a family member on their deathbed probably doesn’t care about the cricket.”

Zampa says he has no financial regrets on his decision to leave the league early since there are a lot of matches to be played. 

“I feel like for leaving anyone leaving halfway through a tournament, it’s definitely a financial sacrifice. But from my point of view I wanted to put my mental health first.”

He also lauded Pat Cummins, who donated USD 50,000 to help purchase oxygen supplies for India’s strained hospitals.

“Obviously really generous. I think we’ll probably see more of it now. My thoughts go out to everyone over here. I understand how dire the situation is. It’s bigger than cricket.”