“Due to the evolving global health concerns regarding Covid-19 and lockdown measures implemented by the Government of India to contain the spread of the pandemic, the IPL Governing Council of the BCCI has decided that the IPL 2020 Season will be suspended till further notice,” said BCCI secretary Jay Shah in a statement.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Thursday suspended the 13th edition of Indian Premier League (IPL 2020) “till further notice” in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, which has claimed more than 400 lives and affected over 12,000 in the country.
The IPL was set to start on March 29 and end on May 24, but it was first postponed till April 15 after a surge of coronavirus positive cases in India. However, with situation not being conducive for any sporting activity and the country in the midst of a 40-day lockdown, the BCCI didn’t issue any fresh date.
“The health and safety of the nation and everyone involved in our great sport remains our top priority and as such, the BCCI along with the franchise owners, broadcaster, sponsors and all the stakeholders acknowledges that the IPL 2020 season will only commence when it is safe and appropriate to do so,” Shah further stated.
While the BCCI is non committal on when cricket could resume in the country, Shah maintained that India’s richest sporting body is monitoring the situation and will seek guidance from the government as well as states.
“BCCI will continue to monitor and review the situation regarding a potential start date in close partnership with all of its stakeholders and will continue to take guidance from the Government of India, State Governments and other State Regulatory bodies,” Shah added.
