Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Sourav Ganguly hopes that Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Chennai Super Kings (CSK) can go as per schedule after a couple of staff members and two players of them tested positive of coronavirus.
BCCI released an official statement that stated 13 confirmed cases have been found in the UAE from the tournament camp. Among them, CSK’s two players Deepak Chahar and Ruturaj Gaikwad are positive. However, the board hasn’t revealed the name of any player.
Sourav Ganguly, who is currently in Kolkata for shooting, backed from given any statement about CSK but hoped that everything goes with the schedule. He wishes that the 53-day IPL tournament is hosted smoothly without any hurdle.
“I cannot comment on the situation of Chennai Super Kings. We’ll see if they can start as per schedule. I hope the IPL will be conducted well. We have a long schedule for the tournament and I sincerely hope everything will go on just fine.”
Have to accept the reality of playing cricket to empty stadium: Sourav Ganguly
Sourav Ganguly said that big tournaments around the world are being played in empty stadiums and they would have to also accept the reality.
“The entire world is coping with the crisis. Football and cricket matches are being conducted to empty stadiums globally. We will also have to accept that reality.”
BCCI has also delayed the announcement of the schedule of the IPL 2020 because of the spread of the infectious virus in CSK camp. Also, there is a surge in COVID-19 cases in Abu Dhabi, which is one of the venues for hosting the league, therefore BCCI is making some changes.
Meanwhile, all the franchises, expect CSK, have started training sessions after following the quarantine period and clearing the tests. Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and other big stars have hit the net session for the first time since March.