Host IPL 2020 without overseas players in Sri Lanka: Matthew Hayden

The world has come to a screeching halt due to the coronavirus pandemic. The COVID-19 outbreak has taken over three lakh lives with more than 4.5 million getting infected with the virus. Governments across the globe have imposed strict lockdown to contain the virus. Many countries have kept strict travel restrictions.

With the pandemic spreading around the world, BCCI took a hard decision of suspending the IPL 2020 tournament for an indefinite period. The cash-rich league usually takes place in April to May every year, but it’s not the case this year. With virus not settling anytime soon, it seems tough to host the tournament this year for the Indian board.

Host IPL 2020 without foreign players: Matthew Hayden

However, the former Australian opener Matthew Hayden has suggested that IPL 2020 can go ahead without foreign players this year behind closed doors. Due to travel restrictions, it’s quite tough for overseas cricketers to make it to India and play the tournament this year.

“Certainly the IPL could take exist without foreign players. I think it would be a product that is being compromised naturally because foreign players do add a lot to the IPL. They raise the level of awareness and excitement among fans. Getting nations together has infact made IPL the fun that it has been,” Hayden said as quoted by TOI.

“But in conditions like this, it could go on without foreign players and it should go on if all health issues have been uncompromised and the game can proceed in clean stadiums.”

Sri Lanka seems a good place to host IPL 2020, feels Matthew Hayden

The former explosive batsman further stated that if it’s not possible for BCCI to host the tournament in India, then they should look after nations like Sri Lanka where a city like Colombo has three or four international venues. Hayden went on to state that all the health precautions should be taken care of by the board. It’s quite important for the board to conduct the games in clean stadiums with proper travel for the cricketers in between the games.