Coronavirus: BCCI Postpones IPL till April 15 as Death Toll Nears 5000

New Delhi, March 13, 2020:

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to suspend the Indian Premier League (IPL) till April 15, 2020 as a precautionary measure against the ongoing Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in India.

A statement issued by the BCCI reads, "The BCCI is concerned and sensitive about all its stakeholders and public health in general, and it is taking all necessary steps to ensure that all people related to IPL including fans have a safe cricketing experience."

It further added, "The BCCI will work closely with the Government of India along with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and all other relevant Central and State Government departments in this regard."

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Earlier today, the Government of Delhi prohibited all sports activities, including the Indian Premier League (IPL) that would involve mass gatherings in the national capital to prevent the further spread of the dreaded Novel Coronavirus.

Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, Manish Sisodia said, "All the sports activities including IPL matches have been postponed in Delhi till further notice. Coronavirus has been declared an epidemic by the government and we are taking all precautionary measures."

It may be mentioned here that the 13th edition of the IPL was scheduled to be held in seven states of India, which also are some of the most affected places. The opener was to be played between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings at the Wankhede Stadium on March 29.

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A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was also filed in the Madras High Court seeking a cancellation of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) slated to held from March 29 to May 24.

Advocate G Alex Benziger, who filed the petition said, “As on date, as per the website of the World Health Organisation, there was no specific medicine or to prevent or to treat the COVID-19."

According to the petitioner, the coronavirus was spreading all over the world rapidly and creating a huge epidemic disaster. The petitioner said he had sent a representation to authorities not to allow the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) conduct IPL T20 cricket matches. However, as there was no response from the BCCI, he filed the present PIL, the petitioner added.

Saurav Ganguli, BCCI president Saurav Ganguly had maintained that the IPL would not be postponed and said that all the necessary protection would be taken during the IPL.

Karnataka Medical Education Minister K. Sudhakar had also written a letter to the Centre seeking advice on the same. “I have written to the Centre saying there are IPL matches scheduled to be held in Karnataka, and that Maharashtra has already taken a decision in this regard. We have asked for the Centre’s guidance on what action we should take,” Karnataka Medical Education Minister K. Sudhakar was quoted as saying.

It needs mention here that so far nearly 5000 people have died due to Coronavirus globally. The positive cases have also increased in number, thereby leading countries to ban visas.

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