The year 2020 will come as a grief-stricken one for people around the world due to the spiralling number of deaths as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. With more than 45.5 million people testing positive for COVID-19 and nearly 1.19 million deaths recorded to date across the globe, India is currently the second worst-affected country in the world with 8.14 million cases and approximately 122,000 persons succumbing to the disease.

The COVID-19 outbreak has also severely affected Tamil Nadu, which has recorded 719,000 positive cases, with nearly 11,000 deaths. There is still a large fear over the novel coronavirus among the public, with the government continuing to inform citizens to adhere to the protocols being instructed by officials in the health department. Having said that, it came as a shock to fans when popular VJ Bhavna Balakrishnan took to her social media pages on Friday to drop an announcement stating she is leaving the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League being held in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah.

Taking to Twitter, Bhavna revealed that she's leaving the IPL 2020 bubble as both her parents have tested positive for COVID-19, while adding that she needs to attend to them in Chennai now more than ever being their only child. Bhavna Balakrishnan's tweet read as follows: "With a heavy heart,I am leaving the @IPL bubble for personal reasons. Both my parents have tested positive and being the only child, I’m needed in Chennai now more than ever. Thank you for your & support throughout this season. Do keep them in your thoughts and prayers."

With a heavy heart,I am leaving the @IPL bubble for personal reasons.
Both my parents have tested positive and being the only child, I’m needed in Chennai now more than ever.
Thank you for your ❤️ & support throughout this season.
Do keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
🙏🙏

— Bhavna Balakrishnan (@Bhavna__B) October 30, 2020

A popular name across the households in Tamil Nadu, Bhavna carved a niche for herself over the years by hosting several TV shows and also continuing the same role in cricket, including ceremonies that take place in Chennai. A multi-talented personality, Bhavna is also a television anchor, cricket commentator, video jockey, playback singer and a dancer. She joined Star Sports as a sports journalist and hosted shows, including the Indian Premier League and Pro Kabaddi League in 2018, while also doing commentary during the 2018 IPL season. She holds the distinction of being one of two female presenters to participate in IPL 2018.