The BCCI is under a lot of pressure as the IPL might have to be cancelled once Prime Minister Narendra Modi ordered a 21-day nationwide lockdown to combat coronavirus.?
The tournament was supposed to start on March 29, but the the BCCI postponed it to April 15. At that point it said that it would go as planned only if things get better. Far from it, things have gone from bad to worse as the number of cases in India has touched 500.?
BCCI president Sourav Ganguly did not have much to say considering the grim scenario.?
"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," Ganguly's helplessness was palpable.?
Kings XI Punjab owner Ness Wadia was more forthright.?
"The BCCI should really consider postponing the IPL now. As a premier event, we need to act with great responsibility. Contemplation of IPL is inhuman right now," KXIP co-owner Wadia told PTI.?
"Lets say even if the situation improves by May and I hope it does, who is going to come and play? Will the (foreign players) be even allowed to enter the country?" he asked.?
Earlier on Tuesday, the con call of BCCI officials and team owners was postponed as the COVID-19 cases continue to rise in the country and around the world.?
The star-studded eight-team league was originally scheduled to start on March 29 in Mumbai. It seems the BCCI is deferring the announcement hoping against hope for things to improve.?
"If Olympics can be postponed by a year, IPL is a much smaller entity in that regard. It is becoming increasingly difficult to organise. At this point the government is not even thinking about allowing foreign visas," a BCCI official in know of things said.?
Currently, each stakeholder is discussing ways to limit the financial damage with insurance companies as well as broadcasters.?
"With 21 day lockdown, it is virtually impossible that things will return to normalcy by April 14. It might improve but a lot of restrictions will be in place. So it will be foolish not to cancel the league," a BCCI veteran said.?
The Olympics have been postponed to 2021 due to the pandemic.?
Another possible casualty is the World T20. According to The Indian Express,"the ICC is likely to have at least preliminary discussions on the fate of the world cup when its 18 member board of directors including heads of the 12 test playing nations hold a teleconference on March 29. It was supposed to be a full-fledged meeting over three days in Dubai before the coronavirus situation forced a change in plans."
The tournament is set to begin on October 18. Major events like Euro have already been shifted so do not be surprised if this one is too.??