IPL 2020 likely to be cancelled; no mega auction ahead of 2021 season

The Coronavirus pandemic deferred the start of the Indian Premier League (IPL) which was originally set to commence on March 29. However, with the Indian Government suspending all the foreign visas until April 15, the tournament had to be postponed. But the situation in the country amid Coronavirus hasn’t improved and it seems that the BCCI has come to the terms with the fact that the T20 league will not go ahead this year.

If the latest reports are considered, the BCCI is waiting for the government and the sports ministry to make an official statement on the visas. The board is also expected to address the issue with all the franchises after April 15 when the ongoing 21-day lockdown will end even as there is also a possibility that it may extend as well.

A source in the IPL administration, while speaking to the Indian Express, confirmed that the BCCI is in no position to take a risk in terms of social distancing. As per the schedule, the mega auction was to take place ahead of the 2021 season. But with the tournament not going ahead this year, the mega auction will be cancelled and might be scheduled ahead of the 2022 edition.

“IPL will not happen this year. It will now happen next year. We all know how the situation is at the moment in the country and no one will take any risk. One can’t have social distancing in the stadium. It’s better to play IPL next year. Also, no mega auction will take place. We will inform the franchises once we get final confirmation from the Indian government, the same season can continue next season, the source said.

Earlier, there were speculations that the BCCI will pull off a 2009-like IPL when the tournament was completed in just 37 days. But this time, the situation is completely different and they even do not have an option to organise the league outside India.

BCCI to suspend all the zonal camps amid Coronavirus

The BCCI is also set to suspend the National Cricket Academy zonal camp which were scheduled to take place across the country during the summer. The junior selection committee picks the team for the camp but it has been learnt that no such meeting has taken place yet due to the current situation.