The outbreak of the pandemic coronavirus had a toll on all the sporting activities across the globe including the Indian Premier League (IPL). The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had to postpone the league until April 15 which was scheduled to commence from March 29.
Going by the latest reports, Sourav Ganguly-led BCCI is waiting for the Indian Government and the Sports Ministry to come out with an official statement on visas. The board officials are likely to sit with the franchise officials and forward their decision to them when the 21-day lockdown ends on April 14 which also has a chance of extending further.
Read More: Watch – David Warner Copies Ravindra Jadeja’s Sword Celebration
Many reports have emerged that the tournament might get called off while a section of the media has said that IPL 2020 can be staged at some point later. Speaking on the fate of IPL 2020, former IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla expressed that it is difficult to start the tournament by IPL 2020.
“I don’t see any preparation, our priority is to fight coronavirus and save people. See it will all depend on the government what decision they will take. We will go by the government decision. We are hearing that lockdown may extend in this situation if you think IPL can happen by April 15 so it seems not possible,” Shukla told ANI.
Read More: Aakash Chopra Picks His All-Time Combined India-Pakistan Test XI
Notably, even if the lockdown gets over in the coming days, the participation of the overseas cricketers look in jeopardy. On March 11, the Indian government had imposed restrictions on visas for foreigners while all international flights were suspended.
Meanwhile, there is also a possibility of IPL 2020 going ahead behind the closed doors but Rajeev Shukla admitted that no cricket is possible at this moment.