On Tuesday, the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the nationwide lockdown is extending till May 3. As a result of the same, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) informed all the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises that the 13th edition of the cash-rich league stands ‘postponed indefinitely’, leaving no scope for it to take place during its designated window.
Earlier the IPL 2020 was scheduled to commence on March 29, the 13th edition of IPL was postponed till April 15, followed by the announcement of a 21-day lockdown in India to curb the spread to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there has been no official word on the development so far but it is learned that the BCCI has informed the stakeholders, including the eight franchises and the broadcasters, to convey that the event stands ‘postponed and not canceled’.
Ine of the BCCI officials talking to PTI said, “Yes, the BCCI has intimated us that IPL has been postponed for the time being but they are hopeful of finding a window later this year as and when things normalize.”
ALSO READ: David Warner Announced His Arrival On Tiktok Through Instagram
It is understood that BCCI president Sourav Ganguly and secretary Jay Shah were waiting for the government directive and since eth lockdown has now been increased till May 3 on Tuesday, they saw no possibility of holding the IPL during its traditional April-May window. The IPL was supposed to be held from March 29 to May 24.
India currently has over 11,500 positive cases with almost 400 recorded deaths, making it virtually impossible for the government to lift any of the restrictions put in place last month.
The only window for an IPL in the current year would be between September and November, provided Cricket Australia and the ICC agree to postpone the T20 World Cup. The six-month travel restrictions in Australia which are scheduled to end on September 30 if the situation becomes normal and the World Cup is scheduled in October-November.
ALSO READ: MS Dhoni is the Greatest Of All Time, Claims Michael Hussey
The other option is having a curtailed IPL in six weeks between September and early October as it’s highly unlikely that the Asia Cup will happen. England is also unlikely to travel for their white-ball series in India.
