BCCI informs franchises and broadcaster about IPL 2020 postponement after lockdown extension

Narendra Modi, the honourable Indian Prime Minister announced the extension of lockdown in the country till May 3 on Tuesday. After this step from the government, the chances of IPL happening this year became bleak. Now, as per the franchise official, BCCI is looking for another window later in the year after things return to normalcy.

There is no doubt over the fact that the sporting industry has come down to a tragic standstill. The adverse effects of Coronavirus have forced the authorities to either postpone or cancel tournaments for the ongoing year. Even, global event like Olympics has also been postponed for a year and now it is going to take place in 2021.

Earlier, IPL 2020 was scheduled to begin from 29th of March. But, BCCI postponed it to mid-April due to the threats of a killer virus and stiff environment. The cricket board thought that the things will come back to normalcy in that span of time.

But that never happened and the situation has turned became worse than before. So far in India, more than 11,000 cases have been tested positive of COVID-19 with 353 recorded deaths. This all forced the Indian government to extend the lockdown till May 3.

IPL 2020 postponed indefinitely after lockdown extension

It was a major setback for the BCCI in their quest to organize the 13th edition of the cash-rich league. Recently, a franchise official said that the cricket board has informed each and every franchise that IPL 2020 is postponed at the moment. However, they are still searching for an available window for the high-profile tournament after the things come to its usual state.

“Yes, the BCCI has intimated us that IPL has been postponed for the time being but they are hopeful of finding a window later this year as and when things normalise,” a veteran franchise official was quoted as saying by India Today on conditions of anonymity.

As per the reports, there are chances that T20 World Cup that is scheduled to be played in October might get postponed to future. And, if that happens, then BCCI will get the opportunity to organize IPL 2020 in the September and November window.