Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which had earlier postponed the IPL 2020 till 15th of April due to coronavirus pandemic, is now considering accommodating the league in August-September period.
Presently, the country is under a 21 day lock down to prevent the spread of coronavirus pandemic, which will end on 14th of April, a day before the BCCI’s earlier designated time for IPL 2020. Thus, chances of organizing the tournament appear slim at the current juncture.
“We are closely monitoring the situation, and we will take a call accordingly. We are looking at a window in August-September,”
a BCCI official who didn’t wish to be named informed the Hindustan Times
Course Of The Pandemic Crucial
The likely re-scheduling of the IPL 2020 will depend, of course, on the hopes that the pandemic is contained in the next four months. Depending on how the pandemic pans out, a plan will be revised. The IPL organizing team is looking at all the possibilities, from the participation of foreign players to a truncated tournament with only India players, as IPL is a massive revenue generator for the cricket broad. Moreover, it is also crucial for the well being of Indian Cricket.
“I can’t say anything at the moment. We are at the same place where we were on the day we postponed. Nothing has changed in the last 10 days. So, I don’t have an answer to it, Status quo remains,”
BCCI President Sourav Ganguly.
International Cricket Calendar Would Need A Twitch
However, considering the international cricket calendar, rescheduling of IPL 2020 to August-September, right before the T20 World Cup in Australia appears highly unlikely.
To give shape to it, BCCI will have to convince the ACC – Asian Cricket Council to postpone the Asia Cup to a later date. It will give the board over 30 days and IPL 2020 season might not get cancelled.
According to the original timetable, before T20 World Cup, the Indian team is also scheduled to be played three T20Is in Australia . India may also have to reschule three ODI matches with Zimbabwe to a later date.
On the other hand, if all the circumstances went against the board, they have to face a major loss. And In case IPL is cancelled for the Asia Cup, the broadcasters would lose a lot.
Monsoon Another Major concern
Well, well. Twitching the International Cricket Calendar by convincing other boards will not mean that IPL 2020 can conducted smoothly. The August-September period is usually the monsoon season in the country, which means the board will have plan and organize the tournament at locations less likely to be less affected by the rains. A tough ask it appears!
Availability Of Overseas Players
The board will have to figure out the availability of Overseas players who bring the charm to the tournament. The availability of English, South African and West Indies players could not be possible . While Pakistan’s tour of England ends in September, South Africa’s tour of West Indies ends on August 16. Australian players will available as they aren’t playing any matches during this two-month period.
Revenues Likely To Take A Hit If No IPL 2020
Postponement and cancellation of cricket around the world can have serious issue for the finance of the game, including sponsorship, brand tie-ups, player contracts and salaries. In Australia, the new contract for the players have been postponed by month.
On the other hand, England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has a £61 million financial support package in a bid to ensure that cricket can withstand the loss of cricket due the coronavirus pandemic.
According to news published in the Times of India (TOI), IPL which had been started as a sideshow by the Board of Control for Cricket in 2008, in the recent times accounts for almost 95 percent of the BCCI’s annual revenue.
Thus, the board is playing a wait and watch game, and is looking at all possibilities to organize the tournament which could otherwise lead to huge financial loss.
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