MUMBAI: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to suspend IPL 2020 till 15th April, as a precautionary measure against the ongoing Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19) situation.
An official release states: “The BCCI is concerned and sensitive about all its stakeholders, and public health in general, and it is taking all necessary steps to ensure that, all people related to IPL including fans have a safe cricketing experience.
“The BCCI will work closely with the Government of India along with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and all other relevant Central and State Government departments in this regard.”
The welcome decision by the BCCI came close on the heels of the Delhi government banning IPL matches in the national capital among preventive steps it is taking to to curb the spread of coronavirus.
“We have decided to ban any sports activity where people will gather in huge numbers like IPL. Social distancing is important to curb the breakout of coronavirus,” Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia declared.
In case the BCCI is able to start the tournament on April 15 (which from this perch appears highly optimistic), it will be a 40-day competition.
In that case, there is a possibility that the tournament will feature more double-headers than previously planned and at least five optional venues are being kept ready after state governments of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Delhi refused permission for the games, PTI reports.
SportzPower remains convinced that the best way forward is to plan for a condensed high-octane 30-game event that will maximise television and ground sponsorship opportunities. If even that is not possible, then a possible option (other than cancelling the IPL for 2020 altogether) might be to consider the September-October window that earlier existed for the now defunct Champions league T20.
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