IPL could be pushed to October-November, says a BCCI official
What's the story
The ongoing coronavirus pandemic may compel the Board of Control for Cricket (BCCI) to stage the upcoming IPL edition around October-November. According to a BCCI official, there have been talks regarding this move, but the postponement of ICC T20 World Cup 2020 could only make it possible. The T20 World Cup is scheduled to begin on October 18. Here is more.
IPL 2020
IPL faces serious scare of suspension
The fate of Indian Premier League has become a cliffhanger, owing to the coronavirus outbreak. Earlier, the BCCI deferred the impending season from March 29 to April after the Indian government imposed restrictions on foreign visas. With the alarming state, a nationwide lockdown of 21 days has been imposed in the nation. India have so far recorded 32 deaths with over 1,200 cases.
Quote
Moving IPL possible only if T20 World Cup gets postponed
"If the ICC decides to postpone the T20 World Cup due to the current scenario, only then we can look at the October-November window because even if a six-month border closedown is ordered, it ends by the start of October," the official told IANS.
Lockdown
Quite a few nations have been thrust into prolonged lockdowns
The Australian government had earlier sealed the borders, except for citizens, permanent residents and their close family members. Also, the Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison stated that the travel restriction is "indefinite" at the moment. A number of nations including UK are also following the six-month lockdown. Hence, the possibility of organising a full-fledged IPL looks bleak for the next few months.
T20 World Cup
No talks about postponement, says the official
Although the BCCI is eyeing the October window for India's cash-rich league, an ICC official cleared the air about the T20 World Cup. The ICC board members, on Friday, held a discussion about the upcoming tournaments, but no conclusion was drawn. "There have been no talks of postponement of World T20 that is to be held in October-November this year," the official said.