This year’s postponed IPL cannot be playing in India while it fights a furious coronavirus crisis and could fight to find a slot outside, India’s cricket chief Sourav Ganguly has declared.
The IPL ‘Indian Premier League’ was abruptly suspended at the midway stage last week after various players became infected. India is recording nearly 4,000 deaths and about 400,000 new cases a day.
Ganguly, chairman of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, declared there was no way for the gainful tournament to resume before India play the final of the World Test Championship versus New Zealand in England on June 18.“Too early to say how we can find a groove to complete the IPL,” Ganguly said to Sportstar magazine in India at the weekend.
“There are many organizational risks like 14-day quarantine. It can’t befall in India. This quarantine is difficult to handle,” he replied.
Virat Kohli’s surface has a complex schedule in the coming months. India will go to England in early June to plan for the world Test final.
They are then planning to visit Sri Lanka in July ere returning to England for five Tests in August and September.
Last year’s IPL was shifted to the United Arab Emirates because of the pandemic and several English counties have endeavored to host the relic of this IPL.
As pandemic case numbers got in India, more than 10 players and relief staff in the IPL teams tested positive in the biosecure “bubbles” set up for the league.
The IPL was suspended after 4 players from Royal Challengers Bangalore, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Delhi Capitals tested positive.
Most international players have since moved from India.
Chennai Super Kings’ Australian batting coach Michael Hussey and New Zealand wicketkeeper-batsman Tim Seifert remain under treatment after testing positive. Hussey recently turned a negative test.
“Bubble life is hard; it’s the most intricate thing,” stated Ganguly.
“Since last September, several players globally have been living inside a bubble. There is no choice. We can’t play cricket without the bubble.
“Better to be on the pitch than relax at home.”
