The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is leaving no stone unturned in hosting the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) this year itself despite staging it behind closed doors as informed by the board president Sourav Ganguly has stated in his letter to all affiliated members of the body.
The letter states: “The BCCI is working on all possible options to ensure that we are able to stage the IPL this year, even if it means playing the tournament in empty stadiums”. The IPL was scheduled to commence from March 29 but the BCCI decided to postpone it until further notice due to the coronavirus pandemic. It is being speculated that the tournament might be played in the October-November window if the ICC decides to postpone the T20 World Cup.
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In his letter, Ganguly has also stated that cricket activities in India have come to a standstill due to coronavirus, and added that training and competitive cricket might resume in the next two months.
Saurav Ganguly wrote: “The BCCI is in the process of developing a COVID-19 Standard Operation Procedure (SOP) for all State Cricket Associations. Essentially this SOP is being made with a view of providing our Members with a standard set of guidelines which will help the associations to resume cricket in their respective areas.”
The BCCI president has also said that during this lockdown period, the board has tried to release the dues of everyone involved with the board.
Ganguly explained, “The BCCI has made all efforts to release due and payable funds/grants to its various members. Associations that have made proper submissions of their accounts and fund utilization certificate have already received their grants. The BCCI will endeavor to release due and payable funds/grants for the remaining associations as well, once all documentation formalities are completed from their end”.
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Indian senior men’s team was last seen in action against New Zealand earlier this year. The side won the T20I series but failed to win a single match in ODI and Test series.
