The future of IPL 2020 is still in doubt after the scheduled conference meeting, where the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had the plan to talk with IPL franchise owners, has been postponed.
IPL 2020 was originally scheduled from 29th March to 24th May. But in the wake of COVID-19 or coronavirus outbreak, IPL 2020 was initially postponed till 15th April 2020.
Due to the coronavirus outbreak, while the other big countries are struggling immensely, India is taking crucial steps without waiting to let it get worst. While the Indian government has cancelled most of the visas till 15th April 2020, they have also banned the public gathering.
Observing the increasing cases of coronavirus, most of the areas have been locked down until the end of this month.
Earlier, the BCCI scheduled to organise a conference meeting with the IPL franchise owners on Tuesday (24th March) regarding the IPL 2020. But as the situation hasn’t improved, they don’t feel that it is the right time to take any call on IPL 2020.
Kings XI Punjab co-owner Ness Wadia told PTI, “…humanity first, everything else comes second. The situation has not improved so there is no point in even talking about it. If IPL doesn’t happen so be it.”
Another franchise official has also shared the same point of view.
The official claimed, “There is no point in discussing anything at this point. The whole country is in a lockdown. We have to deal with matters much more important than IPL.”
I can’t even think about the IPL at this point: Ness Wadia about IPL 2020
Ness Wadia has further claimed that the IPL 2020 is irrelevant in the present situation. Wadia has also praised the government for taking the bold but right steps according to the present condition.
Wadia said, “I can’t even think about the IPL at this point. It is irrelevant along with everything else. The only thing which is relevant is in what we are living in and it is a world war three situation where we are fighting to help so many people.
“The government has taken decisive steps. We often criticise the government but for the proactive steps they have taken we should applaud them. A country as big as India has suspended all flights. That is a very massive and positive step.”
Though the board has cancelled the meeting hoping for a better situation soon, a BCCI official hasn’t ruled out the chance to cancel the IPL 2020.
The official claimed, “If Olympics can be postponed by a year, IPL is a much smaller entity in that regard. It is becoming increasingly difficult to organise. At this point the government is not even thinking about allowing foreign visas.”
Recently, a BCCI official has claimed that the IPL 2020 will be impossible if they fail to begin it in the first week of May 2020.