Three of the four state associations have said that they are not yet ready to host the proposed IPL style domestic tournament despite getting clearence from the BCCI. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has permitted various state associations to hold their own Twenty20 leagues immediately after the conclusion of the ongoing IPL.
On Thursday (April 29), the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) said it has deferred the league. “In view of the current COVID-19 pandemic situation in the country and keeping in mind the safety and interests of all the stakeholders involved, the Mumbai Cricket Association has decided to defer the conduct of the third edition of the T20 Mumbai League till further notice,” the MCA said in a statement.
The state of Maharashtra has seen a spike in the number of COVID cases. Meanwhile, the state associations were to start the tournament just after the end of the IPL. In its mail, the BCCI had said that the states wanting to hold their own leagues have 15 days post the IPL final to see the schedule through. The IPL ends on May 30.
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State Associations Postpone IPL Style Domestic Tournament
Meanwhile, the Karnataka State Association has said that they are not thinking to start the tournament keeping the COVID spike in mind. Saurashtra and Tamil Nadu officials have said they will wait for the permission from their respective state governments. “The systems are in place and we can hold the tournament, but at this stage we cannot say. We need permission from the government. We are happy that the Chennai leg of the IPL has gone through without hiccups. We will wait for the government’s advice,” said Tamil Nadu Cricket Association secretary S Ramaswamy.
The response from the Saurashtra Cricket Association official was also on similar lines. “We have a five-time league (Saurashtra Premier League). We know how to organise even in a bio-secure environment, but it depends on the Covid situation at that time,” an SCA office-bearer said.
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