The pandemic coronavirus has taken a firm grip on all sporting events across the globe including the forthcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in the latest development, has decided to postpone IPL 2020 which was scheduled to start from March 29.
The novel coronavirus has halted many global sporting events. 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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Furthermore, the participation of the overseas cricketers also looks in doubts after a Central Government directive stated that all visas have been cancelled till April 15. It comes as a part of measures to contain the spread of the pandemic which has put IPL’s scheduling in doubt. The Sports Ministry has also asked all National Sports Federations (NSFs), including the BCCI to follow the Health Ministry’s guidelines.
Announcement : #VIVOIPL suspended till 15th April 2020 as a precautionary measure against the ongoing Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19) situation.
More details ➡️ https://t.co/hR0R2HTgGg pic.twitter.com/azpqMPYtoL
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 13, 2020
Considering all the possible measures, BCCI has decided to postpone the league. Speaking to IANS, a BCCI official said that it was decided that the best way forward is to hold the cash-rich league from April 15.
“Yes, the internal decision has been made to postpone the start of the tournament and it will begin on April 15, the BCCI has informed the franchises about the same,” the official said.
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The franchises are clear that while they are okay to play matches in empty stadiums, they want the foreign players as that is what makes the IPL a cricket carnival. Meanwhile, the IPL governing council will meet on March 14 (Saturday) along with the BCCI officials to take a final call on the tournament.
“Yes, we have been informed that the IPL will now start from April 15, but what we need clarity on the availability of the foreign players. The IPL loses its charm if we don’t have the four foreigners in the teams. After all, they are just as integral a part of the teams as the Indian stars,” an official of a franchise told IANS.