IPL Officially Postponed Again, No New Dates Announced

The 13^th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been indefinitely postponed again because of the novel coronavirus pandemic. The announcement about the same was made by BCCI Honorary Secretary Jay Shah in a press release on Thursday. The release read, “Due to the evolving global health concerns regarding COVID-19 and lockdown measures implemented by the Government of India to contain the spread of the pandemic, the IPL Governing Council of the BCCI has decided that the IPL 2020 Season will be suspended till further notice.”

The 13^th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) was previously scheduled to begin from 29^th March but was pushed back to 15^th April because of the nationwide lockdown. Now the further delay in the IPL schedule comes as no surprise as India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended the lockdown by three-weeks until at least 3^rd May.

The release further read, “The health and safety of the nation and everyone involved in our great sport remains our top priority and as such, the BCCI along with the Franchise Owners, Broadcaster, Sponsors and all the Stakeholders acknowledge that the IPL 2020 season will only commence when it is safe and appropriate to do so.”

The release further concluded by stating that BCCI will continue to monitor and review the situation regarding a potential start date in close partnership with the other stakeholders. The statement also added that BCCI will continue to take proper guidance from the Government of India and State Governments and other regulatory bodies before scheduling the future IPL dates.

There are many speculations about the 13^th season of Indian Premier League (IPL) to be played behind closed doors means empty stadium. But the players will still be at risk as they will have to travel to get to other venues and also stay at hotels.

BCCI was also thinking to play the IPL in the September window but there has been no official announcement about the same.

Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen has suggested that the tournament should be shortened from its normal eight-week duration and played behind closed doors.

The other suggestions also include putting the eight teams into two groups and play as they play during the major ICC tournaments.