The Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLC) is planning to offer The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to host Indian Premier League on its soil, Cricket Age reliably learns.
On April 14, the start of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 which was deferred from March 29 to April 15, was further 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.
After the new development, SLC top officials discussed about the proposal and after getting everyone’s nod, the board is expected to send a proposal to BCCI in next few days.
“As, it’s almost confirmed that BCCI won’t be able to organize the IPL this year, we have decided to offer them to conduct the tournament in Sri Lnaka” a top SLC administrator told Cricket Age.
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. However, with the gravity of Cornavirus in India, it seems impossible for BCCI to organize it in the country.
“Among all cricket playing nations, Sri Lanka is the only country which is less effected with the Cornavirus. New Zealand has also succeeded in controlling the virus to great extent, however due to logistic reasons, BCCI wont find it profitable to conduct the IPL there. In comparison, Sri Lanka is the neighbor of India and not too far, so it will be beneficial for them to conduct the league here” the top administrator added.
If BCCI shows interest in proposal, the SLC is ready to conduct the tournament anytime after June.
“It will take hardly one and half months for us to finish all the preparations. If BCCI agrees, we can organize the tournament whenever they wants after June. Undoubtedly, it will bring more cash flow to the country and SLC as well” the top administrator added further.
On April 14, india’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that India will remain under lockdown till May 3 to contain COVID-19 cases.
“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.
