The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to postpone the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and while it was originally scheduled to commence on March 29 and now it will start on April 15. The same has been conveyed to the franchises.
Speaking to IANS, a BCCI official revealed that it was decided that the best way forward is to hold the cash-rich league from April 15. The official explained, “Yes, the internal decision has been made to postpone the start of the tournament and it will begin on April 15, the BCCI has informed the franchises about the same.”
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The government on Wednesday canceled all visas, except for a few official categories, till April 15 amid the recent outbreak. In the meeting held at Nirman Bhavan in Delhi, it was decided that all existing visas, except diplomatic, official, UN/international organizations, employment and project visas, stand suspended till April 15.
🚨Announcement🚨: #VIVOIPL suspended till 15th April 2020 as a precautionary measure against the ongoing Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19) situation.
More details ➡️ https://t.co/hR0R2HTgGg pic.twitter.com/azpqMPYtoL
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 13, 2020
The recent reports suggest that more than 60 cases tested positive in India. The BCCI is set to meet the IPL team owners on Saturday before the start of the IPL Governing Council meeting to discuss the way forward. The franchises are clear that while they are okay to play games without the fans, they want the foreign players as that is what makes the IPL a cricket carnival.
One of the sources of the Times of India said, “The postponement will allow the BCCI to reassess that situation too. If the tournament can be held from mid-April onwards, then there is time now to work on the visas. Remember, the IPL cannot be held without overseas players. That’s a condition every franchise will put on paper regardless of anything else.”
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As per the quotes in IANS, a senior BCCI official said, “Yes, we have been informed that the IPL will now start from April 15, but what we need clarity on the availability of the foreign players. The IPL loses its charm if we don’t have the four foreigners in the teams. After all, they are just as integral a part of the teams as the Indian stars.”
Here is how Twitterati reacted to the recent update:
https://twitter.com/Sdoull/status/1238398824252493824
The health and safety of our players, fans and management is of utmost importance to us. We look forward to seeing you all in April 🙂#RoyalsFamily | #HallaBol https://t.co/uU5jy6h4xQ
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) March 13, 2020
https://twitter.com/am_ishan/status/1238398179172737024
#IPL2020 is suspended till 15th April 2020 ……
Suspension is okay it shouldn't get canceled BUT ITS RIGHT DECISION CONSIDERING SAFETY ….👏👏 https://t.co/z7z82zjP5h
— Avani (@avni96811008) March 13, 2020
Now dear CoronaVirus, do you have any other thing to ruin more…?? https://t.co/V69UkHEl74
— Nayomi (@im_nayomi) March 13, 2020
Just hear that the ipl has been delayed and suspended till April 15th.#ipl
— Hemang Badani (@hemangkbadani) March 13, 2020
Right decision…. https://t.co/OtvAHbx0Ah
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 13, 2020
Another question followers as I just received a very interesting message !!!! Is it true the @BCCI are postponing the @IPL @imVkohli @MichaelVaughan @KP24 @virendersehwag @rajasthanroyals @StarSportsIndia @ajinkyarahane88 @Edged_and_taken @imkuldeep18 @BCCIdomestic @RickyPonting
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) March 13, 2020
https://t.co/3GwMdk5P6d pic.twitter.com/TGoLvkOyKQ
— Manya (@CSKian716) March 13, 2020
IPL postponed from March 29 to around 15 April. Itne din me to RCB waise bhi bahar ho jati hai, to 7 team ke sath hi khelna
— Rishabh Srivastava (@AskRishabh) March 13, 2020
When Virat Kohli realise there won't be IPL upto 15th April. pic.twitter.com/fGCJmy24Sh
— The VVIP (Modi ka Parivar) (@MrVVIPAK) March 13, 2020
https://twitter.com/sobermonk/status/1238169478774448128
Yes we already seen Corona virus Outbreak, Now BCCI suspended IPL Till 15 April. bcci Taking all necessary step to ensure player and Fans be safe, working closely with Govt. #BCCI #IPL #IPL2020 #Covid_19 #coronavirus
— Akshay (@akshay_lutade) March 13, 2020
