IPL 2020 Not To Begin On April 15, Says Chairman Rajeev Shukla

The fate of IPL 2020 remains undecided but it is certain that the tournament will not get underway from April 15. The lucrative tournament was originally slated to get underway from March 29 but it was deferred to April 15 due to the growing coronavirus concerns.

Government had imposed an initial 21-day lockdown till April 14, but with the growing toll of the novel coronavirus pandemic, it might well get extended. Even though the new visa regulations would allow foreign players to join their respective franchises from April 15, due to lockdown in various countries, their participation was an unlikely affair.

First priority is to fight coronavirus: Rajeev Shukla

IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla has asserted that there is no preparation for the tournament to begin on its deferred date. He also said that, the first priority would be to fight against the coronavirus and save people. According to covid19india.org, by Friday noon, at least 6800 people were tested positive with the fatal virus with the fatality rate in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu peaking at every hour.

“I don’t see any preparation, our priority is to fight coronavirus and save people. See it will all depend on the government what decision they will take. We will go by the government decision. We are hearing that lockdown may extend in this situation if you think IPL can happen by April 15 so it seems not possible,” Rajeev Shukla told ANI.

BCCI adopting the ‘wait and watch’ policy

BCCI have adopted the ‘wait and watch’ policy for the IPL 2020, keeping all slots open. The parent body of the lucrative tournament had earlier targeted the October-November window for the tournament to get underway but according to recent developments they are also targeting to hold it behind closed doors in July.

However, a final decision is yet to be taken, and it will rely on the situation to get back to normal.