BCCI president Sourav Ganguly on Tuesday said that he doesn’t have an answer about this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL) amid the lockdown to combat the COVID-19 pandemic all over the country. The BCCI postponed the IPL which was earlier scheduled to begin from March 29 to April 15 after the government suspended all visas, barring few important categories like diplomatic and employment which made impossible for foreign players to participate in the tournament. Amid the ongoing complete lockdown, it is difficult for everyone to work out another plan as COVID-19 has so far taken 11 lives in India along with 500-plus positive cases reported as well.
“I can’t say anything at the moment. We are at the same place where we were on the day we postponed. Nothing has changed in the last 10 days. So, I don’t have an answer to it. Status quo remains,” Sourav Ganguly told PTI in an exclusive interaction.
“You can’t plan anything. The FTP is scheduled. It’s there and you can’t change the FTP. All around the world, cricket and more so sports has stopped,” he said. “I am not sure whether you can get insurance money. Because this is a government lockdown. I am not sure whether a government lockdown is covered by insurance or not. We will have to see. We have not assessed all these things. At this point of time, it is very difficult for me to give any concrete answer,” he again shared.
Read here: The Future of IPL 2020 at Stake?
However, the world’s richest cricket board has not yet pledged any donations to fight the COVID-19 pandemic where Sourav Ganguly said that he will have a discussion with secretary Jay Shah for their next step. On the other hand, he also said that if the state government wants, the Eden Gardens Indoor facility and the players dormitory could be used as a temporary medical facility just as the Pondicherry cricket association has offered to do amid the situation.
“I haven’t had a discussion with Jay. Let’s see. We will assess the situation, follow directives and see what happens,” he said. “If government asks us, we will certainly hand over the facility. Anything that is need of the hour, we will do it. There is absolutely no problem.”
However, the former India captain has welcomed the complete lockdown in the country and also expressed hope that the move will help to restrict the spread of the virus.
“I think this is the best option at the current moment. Certain things are beyond anybody’s control. Whatever directives that the government and ministry of health gives us, we have to follow. That’s the case all over the world,” he said.
Like India, London is also under a 21-day lockdown and Ganguly is worried about his close relative, uncle Animesh Mukherjee and his family who stays there.
“My uncle Animesh Mukherjee is 80 years old. I am worried about my uncle and aunty as they are aged people. But they are very careful and are home amid this 21-day lockdown. Also UK’s health-care facilities are good. I don’t know after how many years I am home on weekdays. Even during my busy schedule, I have had Sundays off but this is so different,” Sourav Ganguly concluded.
