Extended Indian Coronavirus restrictions sees IPL indefinitely postponed

With the Indian Government extending its lockdown until 3rd May to combat the spread of Coronavirus, the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League been indefinitely postponed.

The tournament, which was scheduled to get underway from 29th March, was initially suspended until 15th April but the extended lockdown has seen the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) advised “given the situation, there is no choice but to postpone the IPL further. Further discussions will take place once the threat of COVID-19 subsides.”

The BCCI, which spoke with the eight franchises before making the announcement, went on to advise “the IPL is being shelved for the time being.”

As reported by the Times of India, BCCI President Sourav Ganguly, Secretary Jay Shah, Treasurer Arun Thakur, IPL Governing Council Chairman Brijesh Patel and senior Board employees who look into the affairs of the IPL held a conference call on Tuesday at which options to reschedule the competition were consider.

With international cricket set to be delayed for much of the northern hemisphere summer, Ganguly has suggested the IPL could take place during the October period when the ICC T20 World Cup is due to be played in Australia.

The financial implications of the postponement of the lucrative IPL are likely to be significant impacting the BCCI, the franchises and broadcaster Star India.