I hope IPL 2020 will be conducted well: Sourav Ganguly

The 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is facing a lot of hurdles ahead of its commencement on September 19. After the sponsorship issue was sorted out, around 10-12 members of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) were tested positive. The development has also led to many doubting if the bio-bubble is secure enough to stage the tournament this year.

The BCCI President Sourav Ganguly has reacted for the first time on the happenings in the UAE and is hoping that the IPL is conducted without anymore issues this year. Ganguly, unlike other officials, is still in Kolkata and is keeping a tab on the developments in the UAE.

Meanwhile, the camp organised by CSK before flying out to Dubai has come under the scanner after their members tested positive for COVID-19. However, Sourav Ganguly refused to comment on the franchise. “I cannot comment on the situation of CSK. We will see if they can start as per schedule. I hope the IPL will be conducted well. We have a long schedule for the tournament and I sincerely hope everything will go on just fine,” he told the Kolkata Times.

We will have to accept the reality, says Sourav Ganguly

The IPL will be played behind the closed doors for the first time ever. Most of the sports, including Football, have started the same way. Rather England‘s whole international summer is being played without the spectators with the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) also in progress in the bio-bubble itself. Sourav Ganguly feels people will have to accept the new normal and work accordingly.

“The entire world is coping with the crisis. Football and cricket matches are being conducted to empty stadiums globally. We will also have to accept that reality. “I have started working and do our work. I am not a full-fledged sportsperson anymore – I am half-and-half. I am balancing between family, cricket, BCCI and media work,” he further added.

Meanwhile, the schedule of the IPL is yet to be released and has been reportedly delayed after the crisis emerged in the CSK camp on Saturday. Their players’ quarantined has been extended and they will start training only in the first week of September.