Three Ways the IPL Could Help to Contain the Coronavirus

In under three months, the coronavirus, or Covid-19 to give the disease its official title, has gone from being unknown to a near-panic that has gripped the world. Some countries have been more seriously affected than others, with China being hit the hardest, but as the virus spreads it seems like it will soon be everywhere.

Some countries have already brought in some drastic measures, with Italy closing all schools and universities for an initial two-week period, and now there are questions about what role sport can play in containing the outbreak.

With the world’s biggest 20/20 tournament due to start in a matter of weeks, the organizers have yet to say what contingency plans have been made regarding the IPL 2020, but an ICC press announcement at icc-cricket.com shows that the sport’s leading body is taking steps with other tournaments to address the risk of coronavirus, with the postponement of the Men’s Cricket World Cup Challenge League A already having been announced.

So here are three ways that the IPL could also play a part.

Postpone the event until later in the year

Obviously, the first course of action would be to put off the tournament to a little later in the year – but there are a number of reasons why this could be problematic. The first is that international players have busy schedules with club and test commitments so many would not be available at any other time. There would also be an outcry from fans who like to watch, and bet on, the IPL. As discussed at BettingGuru.in, a notable increase in bets is noted at betting sites during the IPL, so the postponement of matches would certainly not be the preferred options for fans.

Limit the physical contact between players

In the short while that it’s been with us, it’s become obvious that the virus is easily spread by physical contact. Although compared with games like rugby and football, there is a limited risk of transmission between players in cricket, there are times when they do touch. It’s been widely reported that in their forthcoming tour of Sri Lanka the players won’t be shaking hands but will fist-bumping instead. With so many cricketers arriving from all over the world for the IPL, this seems like another very sensible precaution to follow.

Play matches in closed stadia

Of course, the risk of 22 players coming together is minuscule when compared with games with thousands and thousands of fans in the stands. But while many sporting events have been held behind closed doors in the past, with only TV cameras allowed in to transmit them, it makes for a very empty spectacle indeed. This is especially true when the games are as vibrant and exciting as IPL clashes can be.

So, realistically, the only truly practical possibility of the three would be to limit contact between the players themselves. For everyone else, it’s a question of following the advice they can find at sites such as who.int and hoping this will be enough to limit the spread of the disease.