Though the situation is currently not under control, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is still trying to find out the best solution for the IPL 2020. The board still believes that the tournament can be organised successfully if it begins in the first week of May 2020.
IPL 2020 is the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The tournament was scheduled between 29th March and 24th May 2020. However, the BCCI has postponed this tournament till 15th April in the wake of COVID-19 or coronavirus outbreak.
Due to the coronavirus outbreak, world cricket is taking rest like the daily busy routines of the world are facing at present. Like India, many countries are fighting against the novel coronavirus.
After the initial stage of the coronavirus outbreak, the Indian government has cancelled most of the visas till 15th April 2020 and also banned public gatherings inside the nation. Observing this, the BCCI decided to postpone the tournament till mid-April.
But while the present situation is raising concern for the country, the government has decided to lock down most of the important parts of the country till the end of the March.
IPL 2020 can follow the steps of IPL 2009
Observing the present situation, the BCCI is also not hoping to begin the IPL 2020 in the next month. However, according to the recent media reports, the board is still confident to organise this tournament completely if it begins in the first week of May 2020. Talking about this possibility despite having short time in hands, one BCCI official has pointed out successfully organising the IPL 2009 in South Africa in just 39 days.
The official claimed according to News18, “The latest we can wait is till the end of April. If the first game isn’t played by the first week of May then it will be almost impossible to have the league this year. Even if we have to wait until the end of April to follow all the procedures, we can take a cue from the South Africa edition and conduct the league successfully.
“If you remember, that was the shortest IPL with 59 games played over 37 days and we can do the same. But certain measures will have to be taken.”
In this case, the IPL 2020 will be organised in some particular short-distance areas to reduce the journey. Then, Maharashtra can be one of the places as it can provide around four different venues. But at first, the present tensed situation needs to be controlled in the country.
The official added, “You cannot travel around the country in such a scenario. If we get the necessary permissions, we will have to stick to a place like Maharashtra where we have three stadiums in Mumbai and a stadium in Pune. I am sure this will then help us ensure that teams not only get fresh wickets to play but also there is minimal travel involved.
“But before that, the government must deem it fit to organise tournaments. Public and player safety is the priority as the BCCI President has time and again said.”
In India, Maharashtra is the most affected state in coronavirus case.
On Tuesday (23rd March), the BCCI members and IPL franchises’ owners are likely to meet via conference call to talk about IPL 2020.