IPL 2020 schedule to be announced late evening on Thursday or by Friday

The COVID-19 scare in the Chennai Super Kings camp– where 2 players and 11 members of support staff tested positive– jolted the entire cricket fraternity. The tournament’s feasibility was questioned and the BCCI was forced to delay the schedule announcement of much-awaited IPL 2020.

But according to latest reports, the IPL 2020 is expected to be announced by late Thursday evening or by Friday. After many delays, the thirteenth edition of the IPL is slated to kick-off from September 19th in the UAE. The tournament was supposed to kick off on March 29 but it was rescheduled to April 15 in the wake of COVID-19 outbreak.

Furthermore, the BCCI was forced to postpone it for an indefinite period due to a surge in COVID-19 cases across the country. Identifying the UAE as an appropriate option to host the cash-rich league this year, the board is optimistic to curb losses and stage the T20 extravaganza over the course of the next two months.

It was only after the International Cricket Council (ICC) postponed the Men’s T20 World Cup that the BCCI decided to go ahead with their plans to host this year’s edition of the IPL. The Indian board has already announced the start and the end dates of IPL 2020 but CSK’s COVID-19 snag might force the organizers to tweak the opening fixture.

Mumbai Indians might not face Chennai Super Kings in the opening fixture

As per the norms, defending champions take on the runners-up from the previous edition in the opening match. All fans were eagerly waiting to witness MS Dhoni’s return to the field against a dominant Mumbai Indians side led by Rohit Sharma. However, considering the current situation, the BCCI might be forced to field another side against Mumbai Indians. The Indian board is expected to roll out the schedule on Thursday or by Friday, as reported by Times Now.

It was also reported earlier that all members of the CSK contingent had tested negative. However, CSK CEO Viswanathan confirmed that they didn’t take into account the existing 13 cases while stating so.

“There was confusion when asked about ‘all’ members Covid tests. We didn’t take into account the already existing 13 cases. All contingent members have tested negative for COVID-19 except the original 13 who tested positive,” he said.

Slated to start from September 19th, IPL 2020 final is locked on November 10th. After plying their trade on the UAE soil, Indian stars are also scheduled to tour Australia in the latter part of the year.