The Indian Premier League (IPL) became the latest global sporting event to be affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on March 13 (Friday) has postponed the league till April 15 due to the outbreak. However, the tournament can be called off if it crosses the April 20 deadline.
Meanwhile, there were a lot of speculations going around about this year’s IPL. There were reports that the tournament might go closed-doors. However, after the Government of India’s directive that the visas stand cancelled till April 15 amid the outbreak, the franchises were not keen to play without the overseas cricketers, who has been the star attractions in the IPL since its birth.
In the wake of this, BCCI issued a statement stating that considering all aspects they have decided to postpone IPL 2020 for a couple of days. Notably, the apex body also called off the remaining two games of the ongoing ODI series between India and South Africa.
Read More: IPL 2020 postponed amid coronavirus outbreak
“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,” said a press release.
“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 further added.
During the time when the future of IPL 2020 stands in jeopardy, an IPL official has revealed that the league might get cancelled altogether this year if it misses the April 20 deadline. According to the official, the “six-week window from April 21 till May 31” is sufficient to host 60 matches with “multiple double-headers”. But a decision on whether the IPL could go ahead will depend on the “extent of the virus infection by the first week of April”.
Read More: India-South Africa series called off due to coronavirus outbreak
“If at all the IPL starts, it would be around April 20 but the decision will be made around April 10. If the tournament doesn’t start by April 20, it will have to be deferred till the next year,” the official told Sportstar.
