Do not hold IPL at this point of time, suggests the Ministry of External Affairs to BCCI

The developments regarding the spread of Coronavirus have been coming thick and fast as the governments and agencies world over are doing their best to limit its spread. In India, where over 170 cases and four deaths have been reported so far is in stage two of the spread and is putting out stops to not get into stage 3, which will be community transmission.

While all sporting events have been suspended and pushed ahead in the calendar, there is a chance that the Indian Premier League which has been scheduled to start from April 15 could see further delay. Reports of the BCCI looking at June to July window have been doing the rounds, although no official confirmation has been given out as yet.

Now, the Indian government has asked the organisers to consider calling off the tournament in light of the prevailing conditions.  On Thursday, Dammu Ravi, additional secretary, Ministry of External Affairs and coordinator for COVID-19, said to the media, “Think it is for the organisers to decide whether to go ahead with it or not. Our advice would be to not do it at this time but if they want to go ahead, it is their decision.”

BCCI keeps options open, is looking at all possibilities

Dammu Ravi’s response came to a response on the organisers call to hold the league behind closed doors. Indian team’s three-match ODI series was called off last week and the Indian Premier League was pushed from March 29 to April 15 as the BCCI is looking to keep all the possibilities regarding playing the tournament.

The Indian Premier League has become one of the showpiece events in the cricketing calendar and has grown bigger since its inaugural season in 2008. The 8-team tournament is held for around two months during the Indian summer. Despite controversies of spot-fixing, the league has functioned without stopping. It even was held outside India during the 2009 general elections and in 2014, initial few games were held in the UAE.

However, it remains to be seen if the league can overcome this pandemic as global meltdown looms large on sporting events.