The BCCI treasurer Arun Dhumal has revealed that IPL 2020 was almost cancelled after Novak Djokovic was tested COVID-19 positive. The world number 1 tennis player in June was detected positive after he played exhibition matches in Croatia and Serbia. This story shocked and worried about the entire sporting world including BCCI.
Around that time the cricket board was planning to host IPL 2020 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). However, after the revelation of Djokovic, the BCCI was unsure about conducting the 13th edition of the cash-rich league.
BCCI Almost Cancelled IPL 2020
The BCCI treasurer Arun Dhumal told that it was secretary Jay Shah who was confident and wanted the league to be conducted. After several assumption BCCI finally decided to play a full-fledged IPL in UAE behind closed doors from September 19-November 10.
After that report (about Djokovic testing positive) came in, we were in two minds. Many people told us to not go ahead with it (IPL). What if something happens to a player? The IPL would go on for almost three months. However, Jay said we should go ahead, he was more confident than all of us,” Dhumal stated as quoted by the Indian Express.
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The apex body worked overtime and created a detailed plan for all the franchise. For the very first time, a bio-secure was created and all the precautions were followed by everyone to ensure smooth conduct of the league. The players arrived earlier than usual and completed their quarantine period before they began training for IPL 2020.
In the end, the bold move of BCCI paid a dividend and the league turned out to be a huge success. Once again IPL set a new benchmark and broke all viewership record as the league were able to provide entertainment to the public during the pandemic.
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