The upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is round the corner and the buzz surrounding the game has already reached the sky-high. However, doubts over the cash-rich league have gripped amidst the rise of the coronavirus threat. And now, the Karnataka Government has denied hosting the IPL matches in Bengaluru.
On Monday, a Bengaluru resident with a travel history to the United States was tested positive for coronavirus according to Karnataka Medical Education Minister K Sudhakar. According to the reports, the same resident came in contact with 2,666 people since his return from the US. While the person has been isolated at Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases (RGICD) in Bengaluru, all primary schools in Bengaluru’s areas with IT companies have been shut until further notice.
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Although the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President Sourav Ganguly has given a green signal to the tournament to run as per schedule, there remain doubts over the future of IPL 2020. If the reports in the local news channel Digvijay 24/7 are to be believed, the Karnataka Government has written a letter to the central government requesting for the IPL to postpone or suspend this year amid coronavirus threat. It also adds that the Karnataka Government has also denied hosting the IPL matches.
Meanwhile, Bengaluru is home of the Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) with M Chinnaswamy Stadium hosting their home games. The Royal Challengers are scheduled to begin their campaign against Kolkata Knight Riders on March 31 at the Chinnaswamy. But with Karnataka Government also denying to host the matches now, it remains to be seen BCCI’s position on the same. As of now, things are not looking good for the upcoming season of the IPL to go ahead.
