Amid the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, the cricketing calendar has received a major jolt. Various boards are furiously working out on revising their schedules with a view of getting the game back on track – with or without spectators. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) also had to postpone the Indian Premier League (IPL 2020) for an indefinite period.
Meanwhile, the 13th season of the T20 blitz was scheduled to commence from March 29. However, BCCI had to postpone it to April 14 after the first lockdown. And with no signs of improvement, the Sourav Ganguly-led panel had to defer the tournament for an indefinite period.
Read More: Ashish Nehra Heaps Praise On Sourav Ganguly
BCCI is pondering various options to host IPL 2020. There have also been speculations that the Indian board is looking at a possible window to host the cash-rich league. However, BCCI treasurer Arun Dhumal rubbished all such claims and said that there are no such plans as of yet. He further added that they will take a call only when things get better.
“We haven’t planned anything as of now,” Dhumal said told Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. “We can’t think of IPL getting back yet. Players coming in from other countries, whether they’ll be willing to come here and be quarantined for two weeks and play IPL is not known.
Read More: India Ready To Stay In 14-Days Quarantine Before Australia Series – Reports
How can we think of the IPL? This is all media speculation. There is nothing as of now. Once things get clear, then only will we be able to go back to the drawing board and think about re-starting cricket,” he added.
If BCCI fails to host IPL 2020, there will be massive revenue loss for the apex body. Reports have also emerged that if the T20 tournament doesn’t take place this year, there will be no auctions for the next season.
