The start of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 which was deferred from March 29 to April 15, has further been postponed for an indefinite period. The decision came as a result of the Coronavirus lockdown that the Indian government decided to extend till May 03. Earlier, the lockdown was supposed to conclude on April 14.
BCCI sources revealed the decision to further delay the start of IPL Season 13 on Tuesday after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to the nation earlier. There are suggestions that the high-profile tournament might not take place at all this year, considering the Indian cricket team’s bilateral assignments and the foreign players’ involvement.
Time and again reports have emerged suggesting different windows which have been looked at organise IPL in the country. There were reports claiming that the tournament could be held in May-June or even in October-November since the T20 World Cup – to be held in Australia this year – is likely to be postponed. A per Cricket Age sources, however, the cash-rich T20 league will not be held this year at all.
“Since lockdown has been extended, we have to postpone the IPL for the time being, the decision will be intimated, we will discuss the matter later today,” sources within BCCI told Cricket Age.
Earlier today, PM Modi announced that India will remain under lockdown till May 3 to contain COVID-19 cases.
The 21-day lockdown, which was announced by the Prime Minister last month, was slated to end today.
“Till 20th April, all districts, localities, states will be closely monitored, as to how strictly they are implementing norms. States which will not let hotspots increase, they could be allowed to let some important activities resume, but with certain conditions,” Modi informed the nation in a televised address.
The IPL was slated to begin from March 29, but the tournament had to be postponed until April 15 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
