The thirteenth season of Indian Premier League (IPL) was supposed to start from 29th March but due to the coronavirus outbreak, it was postponed till April 15. However, we can’t ignore the essential fact that as the number of infected people is increasing in the country as well as the world, the future of IPL 2020 seems bleak. Since World Health Organization has declared coronavirus outbreak as pandemic, the biggest concern for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is the safety of the public and its stakeholders.
As per a news published in a leading daily, IPL 2020 may get cancelled this year and even the mega auction for the next year will also not take place. A source has revealed that IPL will be cancelled this year because the situation is not right for conducting the tournament and nobody wants to take risk as well.
The source further said that it is highly impossible to practice social distancing in the stadium which makes it more difficult for IPL to take place in 2020. The source further adds that IPL will take next year but the franchisees will be told only after getting permission from the government for continuing the same season next year.
The coronavirus outbreak has already taken lives of more than 33,000 people all over the world while over 7 lakhs have been found infected with the virus. As far as India is concerned, the number of patients who have lost their lives is more than 30 while the number of infected persons is close to 1200.
India is under a complete lockdown for 21 days which is applicable till April 15 and although the government has been denying the further extension of the lockdown, many people are of the opinion that it might be extended if the situation is not under control.
For the moment, we should remain indoors, maintain personal hygiene and practice social distancing in order to keep ourselves and our families safe.