The novel coronavirus outbreak has sabotaged the international calendar of various sporting events all across the world. Football leagues like English Premier League (EPL), Serie A, MLS, UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League have all been suspended amid coronavirus fears and the biggest sporting events faced a significant shift in their schedule and terms of viewers too. As far as cricket is concerned, the thirteenth edition of the Indian Premier League has been postponed by the BCCI to April 15 from March 29 due to coronavirus pandemic.
However, the government is taking all steps in a bid to control the fast-spreading virus. IPL has been postponed as large gatherings in stadiums are to be avoided, as per the health experts.
So far more than 81 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus have been reported in India with 16 of them being Italians who came on a tour to India. Following the coronavirus outbreak, the ODI series between India and South Africa was also called off on Friday.
BCCI suspends all domestic fixtures due to coronavirus outbreak
Following the suspension of IPL 2020, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have also suspended all domestic fixtures including Irani Cup until further notice.
The coronavirus has by far claimed over 5,000 lives which led to either cancellation or postponement of several sporting events in the world.
“In view of the ongoing Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19) outbreak, the BCCI on Saturday announced that all matches of the Paytm Irani Cup, Senior Women One-Day Knockout, Vizzy Trophy, Senior Women One-Day Challenger, Women Under 19 One-Day knockout, Women’s Under 19 T20 League, Super League and knockout, Women Under 19 T20 Challenger Trophy, Women Under 23 knockout, Women’s Under 23 One-Day Challenger have been put on hold till further notice,” BCCI said in a statement.
Earlier, BCCI’s General Manager Saba Karim confirmed that the game between Saurashtra and the Rest of India would be held at the Saurashtra Cricket Association (SCA) behind closed doors from the 18th to 22nd of March.
But now, it has been confirmed that all domestic versions of cricket in India have been put on hold.
As far as international cricket is concerned, the first ODI between Australia and New Zealand on Friday was played at the Sydney Cricket Ground without fans.
A day after playing in front of empty stands, the two remaining ODIs of the series between Australia and New Zealand have been cancelled.
Meanwhile, the ECB also called off the forthcoming two-Test series between Sri Lanka and England in Sri Lanka and the dates shall be announced later.