‘Pandemic’, that’s how the World Health Organisation (WHO) has defined the coronavirus situation across the globe. With sporting tournaments, cancelled/postponed or held behind closed doors, the COVID-19 has claimed many victims the past few weeks and now its seems to have the Indian Premier League (IPL) season 13 in its grasp.
The IPL Governing Council is scheduled to hold a meeting on Saturday to discuss the course of action for the 2020 edition amid the coronavirus threat. While a postponement and cancellation would lead to a severe loss of revenue, the closed-door league is being seen as the most feasible option.
Speaking on behalf of the franchises, an official of one of the teams told news agency IANS that they are okay with the league to be held in empty stadiums but there’s one exception they want the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to get them from the government.
“See, the gate money is no issue as these things are insured. As for the fans, it is disappointing, but we don’t really have much of an option as we have to abide by the diktat of the central government and even WHO has declared the outbreak a “pandemic”,” the official said.
The exception the franchises want is in the form of overseas players – who have been barred to enter India till April 15 due to the latest visa restriction that have been imposed by the central government.
“This makes it clear that if we have to have an IPL this year, it has to be behind closed doors. So now, would we rather want an IPL where fans can watch the games on television or we don’t want an IPL in 2020? So, we are okay with that, but the BCCI must sit down and speak to the central government to make an exception and allow the foreign players to come in before April 15 as the IPL loses its sheen otherwise,” the official said.
Postponing the league or shortening it by having more doubleheaders isn’t the most feasible option, both for the franchises as well as the broadcaster. The official, hence, cited as the decision to organise the tournament behind closed doors with all participants available as the best option.
“The international commitments that the players have cannot be toyed with and the host broadcasters have already made it clear that they are not too keen on doubleheaders. So, keeping the interest of all parties in place, the best option is to have an IPL behind closed doors. The franchises will have to bear the loss that comes with merchandise sales, but that is a nominal amount as compared to the losses that will be incurred if the IPL doesn’t happen in 2020,” the official said.
The South African team is presently in India for a 3-match ODI series and they can be made to stay back for the IPL. The England team, who are in Sri Lanka for a bilateral series, could also be granted an exception and those who are a part of the IPL can come directly to India. The franchise official wants such exceptions for overseas players to be made if the IPL 2020 is to be made a success despite being held behind closed doors.
“See, the Proteas are already in the country, so as per the directive, they can easily stay back. Also, if you see, the Englishmen are already in Sri Lanka and the Kiwis are playing the Aussies in Australia, so they are anyway on the road. We just need the BCCI to sit down with the governmental departments and get us the clearance so that we can have the IPL with foreign players. The whole tournament will lose its charm if the foreign players are not there. It is the biggest cricket carnival in the world for a reason,” the official concluded.
