The remaining two One-Day Internationals between India and South Africa have been called off due to the outbreak of coronavirus pandemic, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced on March 13 (Friday). After a complete washout in Dharamsala on March 12, the second and the third ODIs were scheduled to take place behind closed doors. However, with the increasing threat of the pandemic, the board has called off the games.
On March 11 (Wednesday), the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) a pandemic. As the numbers say,118 countries have been affected by COVID-19, classified as a respiratory illness. More than 120,000 people have been infected with over 4,300 deaths worldwide. In India so far, 73 people have been infected with no deaths as yet.
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The threat forced many sporting events shut down in a bid to contain it. BCCI’s decision also comes in the wake of it also expressed that after thorough discussions with the Government of India and concerned authority, they have come to this conclusion.
“The BCCI is concerned and sensitive about all its stakeholders, and public health in general, and it is taking all necessary steps to ensure that, all people related to IPL including fans have a safe cricketing experience,” a BCCI media release signed by board secretary Jay Shah had said then.
“The BCCI will work closely with the Government of India along with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and all other relevant Central and State Government departments in this regard,” it added.
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Notably, BCCI has also postponed the forthcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) till April 15 which was scheduled to commence from March 29 after the outbreak of the COVID – 19.
