IPL 2020 will only commence when it is safe and appropriate to do so: BCCI

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially released a statement confirming that the 2020 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been postponed indefinitely. It has also been understood that the board hasn’t set a new window yet for the tournament and it also confirmed that the IPL will only begin when the conditions are safe for everyone.

Earlier, the 13th edition of the cash-rich league was deferred until mid-April due to the Coronavirus pandemic. However, even the BCCI knew that the lockdown which was set to end on April 14 will be extended further with the situation not improving. Accordingly, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Tuesday, announced that the restrictions will stay put until May 3.

Soon after that, the inevitable happened. In its official statement signed by the BCCI secretary, Jay Shah, the board confirmed that the tournament has been postponed indefinitely. “The IPL Governing Council of the BCCI has decided that the IPL 2020 Season will be suspended till further notice,” the statement read according to ESPNCricinfo.

Health and Safety of the nation is top priority, says BCCI

The BCCI, in its statement, also stated that the safety of the country and everyone involved in organising the tournament is of the top priority to them. It added that all the stakeholders including the franchises and the broadcaster were supportive of the decision to postpone the IPL until further notice.

“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 acknowledge that the IPL 2020 season will only commence when it is safe and appropriate to do so,” the statement further read.

The BCCI will now continue to monitor the situation and as soon as the situation improves, is expected to chart out a new schedule and window for the T20 extravaganza. “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,” the board added.