'Hope the spread of virus subsides & the show can go on' - Shahrukh Khan optimistic about the commencement of IPL 2020

Sports events around the world have taken a major hit thanks to the rising threat of the pandemic that is the novel coronavirus. Most of the high profile events like the Premier League, La Liga, NBA, have been postponed for a later date in the wake of the escalating situation.

On the cricketing front, almost every series including ODI rubbers between Australia-New Zealand & India-South Africa, England’s Test tour of Sri Lanka, Australia Women tour of South Africa has been postponed. Cricket’s showpiece event- outside of the Internationals- IPL has also been grappled by the escalating situation.

The cash-rich league, which was originally scheduled to kick-off from March 29th with defending champions Mumbai Indians squaring off against three-time winners Chennai Super Kings at the Wankhede, landed into hot waters after the Indian government placed restrictions on visas for foreign Internationals till April 13th.

Amidst growing speculations that the tournament might get called-off, the Board of Control for Cricket in India [BCCI] announced on Friday, that the 13th edition has been postponed till April 15th.

Shahrukh Khan hopeful that the virus will eventually pave way for the IPL

The IPL governing council held a meeting with the franchise owners on Saturday to discuss the issue, and Shahrukh Khan, the co-owner of Kolkata Knight Riders took to Twitter where he said: “Wonderful to meet all the Franchise owners ‘off the field’ so to say. The meeting by @Bcci  and @ipl was to reiterate what all of us feel…safety first of the spectators, players management & cities we play in. All directives of the health agencies & govt to be followed..”

Khan hoped for the virus to eventually subside and pave way for the IPL to take centre stage.

“Hope the spread of the virus subsides & the show can go on. BCCI & team owners in consultation with the govt will keep a close watch & decide the way fwd in the health interest of ever1. Lovely 2 meetsanitize& then sanitize ourselves repeatedly..@SGanguly99 @JayShah #BPatel” Shah Rukh Khan added.

Meanwhile, it is still not clear whether the IPL will go ahead or not. The Union Ministry of External Affairs has requested the BCCI to consider cancelling the 13th edition altogether, something which has also been echoed by KXIP co-owner Ness Wadia.

2/2. Hope the spread of the virus subsides & the show can go on. BCCI & team owners in consultation with the govt will keep a close watch & decide the way fwd in the health interest of ever1. Lovely 2 meet every1 & then sanitise ourselves repeatedly..@SGanguly99 @JayShah #BPatel

— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) March 14, 2020