The commencement of the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is in jeopardy after 13 Chennai Super Kings members tested COVID-19 positive. This has forced Chennai to delay their training which might prompt BCCI to alter their IPL 2020 schedule.
Incidentally, Chennai have been badly hit by the pandemic. Two cricketers along with another 11 members of the support staff team have tested positive. They will now remain in isolation for 14 days before undergoing tests.
The members will have to give two negative results within 14 hours to reunite with the team. Moreover, the entire Chennai Super Kings team will also remain in quarantine and as per reports, will resume training from September 6. And if reports are true, then Chennai are unlikely to play the first game of the season now.
Mumbai likely to play Bangalore in IPL 2020 opener
Although the schedule is not out yet, Chennai and Mumbai Indians were likely to play the tournament opener. Earlier this month, Rohit Sharma had hinted at the same when he congratulated MS Dhoni on his international retirement.
With the Super Kings out of the equation now, Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore might play the IPL 2020 opener against Mumbai Indians. According to Times Of India, the firehouse led by Kohli is the obvious choice in the absence of Chennai.
“It could possibly be Royal Challengers Bangalore because in the first match, you’ll need star players on the field. If MS Dhoni is missing, then it has to be Virat Kohli,” say those tracking developments.
The 13th edition of the cash-rich league will start from September 19 and will run until November 10. This will be the first time in the history that the grand finale will take place on a weekday. The cricketers will remain in a bio-secure bubble throughout the tournament keeping the COVID-19 in mind.
