'An absolutely fair call' - Sunil Gavaskar backs BCCI's decision of suspending IPL 2020

In an unprecedented move, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) suspended the thirteenth edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) till April 15. The BCCI took the decision as a precautionary measure in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. At first, reports suggested that the IPL might be held behind closed doors with no fans allowed to enter the stadium.

The IPL was scheduled to start on March 29 in Mumbai. But on Friday, the BCCI decided to postpone the start of the competition to April 15. The April 15 date coincides with visa restrictions that have been imposed by the Indian government which would have kept all international players out of the country until then anyway. Only time will tell how the future of the league unfolds in the coming days.

‘An absolutely fair call’: Sunil Gavaskar

BCCI’s decision to postpone the IPL’s start is drawing praise from all over and former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has also echoed the same sentiments. Reacting to the development, the legendary batsman termed it ‘most sensible decision taken by BCCI’. He also congratulated the BCCI for such a bold step.

“An absolutely fair call and congratulations to the BCCI for taking the step because the heath of the public and the health of the nation is so important,” Sunil Gavaskar was quoted as saying by India Today.

“Because the coronavirus has been spreading and it was very very necessary to take the call. There are thousands of people who turn up for a match, there are so many people in the lobbies of the hotel and airports. So many people travelling on an aircraft. So yes, anybody could be infected and he could pass it on, so I think this is the most sensible decision taken by the BCCI,” he added.

Gavaskar also reacted to BCCI’s decision of calling-off the ongoing ODI series between India and South Africa. After the first game of the series in Dharamsala was called off, the Indian cricket board called off the remaining two games. Gavaskar, in his response, said that no player likes to play in front of an empty stadium and hence the decision to suspend the series was the right one.

“I suppose you could have done that but no player, no artist like to play in front of empty stands. So clearly it is important for the player to be charged up to have a crowd. If that is not there I do not think it makes any sense to have a tournament. That should be absolutely the last option that should be there. And I think at this time when we are reading how this virus is spreading, this is the most correct step that the BCCI has taken,” said the ex-cricketer-turned-commentator.