Brad Hogg Uses Fan's Suggestion To Propose A Brilliant Plan For Rescheduling IPL 2020

The BCCI on Friday, 13th March, under pressure from Sports Ministry, postponed the Indian Premier League (IPL) season 13 due to the outbreak of coronavirus. IPL 2020 was originally scheduled to begin from March 29, but now it has been shifted to April 15.

India’s Health Ministry had issued certain guidelines, regarding the spread of the pandemic.

Moreover, the central government had suspended all visas for India until April 15, which meant that foreign players would not have been able to take part in the first phase of the IPL.

To find a solution for the scheduling of the cash-rich league, the BCCI had even invited all the IPL franchises to the governing council’s meeting.

Earlier, BCCI president Sourav Ganguly had hinted that this season’s IPL could be a truncated affair.

He said, “It will happen, because if it is April 15, then, in any case 15 days are gone, it has to be truncated. How truncated, how many games, I can’t say at the moment.”

With so much drama surrounding the scheduling of IPL, former Australian player Hogg has given a brilliant piece of advice to the BCCI, based on a tweet from a fan.

Brad Hogg uses fan’s suggestion to advice Sourav Ganguly and BCCI on the scheduling of IPL 2020:

Hogg, a former IPL star himself, proposed a plan to restructure the league format, in a tweet on 15th March.

The 49-year-old wrist-spinner suggested that IPL 2020 should be held in the format similar to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, which would reduce the travel requirement thereby reducing the risk of exposure to coronavirus.

To Ganguly & #BCCI @d_moinak has a great solution for #IPL time poor scenario. 2 groups of 4 each play in one region, reducing travel requirements, with 2 semi finals and a final played at a different venue from group stages. Saves logistics & minimizes health risks. #Cricket https://t.co/CxCmO7vg95

— Brad Hogg (@Brad_Hogg) March 15, 2020

This plan was put forth by a fan on Twitter, who asked Hogg if the IPL could be played in two groups of four teams.

The Australian legend later, proposed the same to BCCI so that the IPL 2020 could be avoided playing behind closed doors.

“To [Sourav] Ganguly & BCCI @d_moinak has a great solution for IPL time poor scenario. 2 groups of 4 each play in one region, reducing travel requirements, with 2 semi finals and a final played at a different venue from group stages. Saves logistics & minimizes health risks,” read Hogg’s tweet.

Also Read: Coronavirus Pandemic: New Zealand Cricketers To Go In Quarantine For 14 Days