Along with the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League(IPL), the fans were eagerly waiting for the much anticipated All-Stars match. However, as per reports emerging, they will be disappointed the much-publicised All-Star game is all set to be called off.
Previously, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Sourav Ganguly had already announced that the All-Stars game — with two teams from the pool of registered IPL cricketers to raise money for charity — would be an annual affair going forward. It was slated to take place on March 25 four days before the start of the tournament at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
However, the All-Star match is now off. As per reports in Mumbai Mirror, the BCCI is yet to make the decision official but has informally informed all the franchises that the match won’t be taking place, at least not before the start of the league. It also added that the reasons behind the cancellations are many.
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The main reason behind it was that the franchises were reluctant in leaving players citing that it can cause injuries. Incidentally, BCCI has also not consulted the franchises before taking a call on the all-star game.
“It is at least not happening before the start of the IPL,” an official of a south India franchise told the news outlet.
Moreover, recently BCCI revealed the full schedule of the 13th season of IPL commencing from March 29 and there was no mention of the IPL All-Star game which makes it evident that the game is not taking place at least ahead of the league.