Decision-makers divided over hosting IPL 2020 in India amid COVID-19 pandemic: BCCI official

BCCI has suspended IPL 2020 for an indefinite period in the wake of COVID-19 outbreak. However, looking forward to the current conditions, there are chances that the tournament might be organised in October-November window if the T20 World Cup in Australia gets postponed.

If that happens, then the big question arises that where will the T20 tournament will take place– in India or overseas. And, an official has said that the board is also divided into two opinions over the same.

The cash-rich league was all set to roll out before it was hit with the repercussions of COVID-19 pandemic. In an interview, a BCCI official said that in the current situation, the board is divided into different opinions. He also added that some want IPL to be organised in India and some want it to take place in any other nation. As per him, in general, everyone wants the tournament to happen in the near future.

BCCI official opens up on IPL 2020 venue deliberation

The BCCI official recited that if IPL happens in India, then it will also send a message to the world that the things are coming back to normalcy. Moreover, there will not be any kind of hustle of going out and organising cash-rich league under new sets of rules and guidelines. The official also stated that many people feel that the commencement of IPL 2020 should be everyone’s main focus at the moment.

“See, it is a case of the decision-makers being divided 3-2 if that is how you wish to understand the current scenario. Without going into the names of who said what, all I can tell you is that the general feeling is that having the league in India would not only be a sign of positivity amongst the people of the country but will also help as we will not need to travel abroad and act to a fresh set of guidelines,” BCCI official said as quoted by Khaleej Times.

“But then, there are a couple of voices who also feel that having the tournament should be the priority and if that means taking it out of the country, so be it. So, while we are working on the overall plan, the venue is an area which will need further deliberation. Also, at the end of the day safety of the players and everyone involved is a priority,” he added.

Recently, UAE Cricket Board also accepted that they sent a proposal to BCCI for hosting IPL 2020. However, they are yet to get any response over the fate of IPL 2020.