Observing the current situation in the wake of COVID-19 or coronavirus outbreak, the IPL 2020 has been postponed. The tournament can begin in mid-April.
Coronavirus has affected the global market. More than 1,30,000 people in the world have been affected in this virus, while around 5,000 people have died. In India, while only one death has been reported due to coronavirus, more than 70 people have been affected.
After the World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its concern on this coronavirus, every country has become more serious on this issue. The Indian government has cancelled most of the visas till the 15th April while the Sports Ministry has advised organising the unavoidable events without public gathering.
Due to these reasons, the possibility of IPL 2020 was seriously under the cloud, which was initially scheduled to be organised between 29th March and 24th May 2020.
Moreover, some state governments have already advised postponing the IPL 2020 as Maharashtra government have stopped selling the match tickets of the tournament opener. On Friday (13th March), the Delhi Government has clarified that Delhi will not organise the IPL 2020.
Depending on these scenarios a further call can be taken on IPL 2020
On the other hand, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officials have met at the board’s headquarters in Mumbai on Friday to decide on IPL 2020. Now, the BCCI has postponed IPL 2020 after observing the present circumstance.
The sources said according to the TOI, “The postponement gives BCCI the time to reassess the situation and have that much more time on hand to take a further call. The postponement will allow them to see if the threat of the virus ceases any time soon, remains in control, or gets worse. Depending on these scenarios and what the central and state governments say, a further call can be taken.”
IPL cannot be held without overseas players
While the franchises were ready to participate in the IPL 2020 behind the close door, they still wanted the foreign cricketers from the beginning of this tournament.
According to the sources, the IPL 2020 can begin in mid-April when the visa issues can be solved. The sources have clarified that IPL can’t run in the absence of the overseas cricketers.
The sources added, “The postponement will allow the BCCI to reassess that situation too. If the tournament can be held from mid-April onwards, then there is time now to work on the visas. Remember, the IPL cannot be held without overseas players. That’s a condition every franchise will put on paper regardless of anything else.”
IPL 2020 will be the 13th edition of this cash-rich league which started in 2008.