Indian Premier League (IPL) is in peril after WHO has declared the Coronavirus outbreak a "pandemic". The Indian government has also started to take necessary steps and no visas to foreigners till April 15 is one of them. It means the foreign players may not be able to join their respective franchises for the IPL 2020 which is scheduled to start from March 29.
The franchises are fine with BCCI opting for a closed-door tournament; allowing no spectators. But they want the foreign players to join the tournament too from the start, and for that, the government will have to make exceptions.
Speaking to IANS, an official of one of the franchises said, "See, the gate money is no issue as these things are insured. As for the fans, it is disappointing, but we don't really have much of an option as we have to abide by the diktat of the central government and even WHO has declared the outbreak a "pandemic".
"This makes it clear that if we have to have an IPL this year, it has to be behind closed doors. So now, would we rather want an IPL where fans can watch the games on television or we don't want an IPL in 2020? So, we are okay with that, but the BCCI must sit down and speak to the central government to make an exception and allow the foreign players to come in before April 15 as the IPL loses its sheen otherwise."
Officials ruled out the possibility of pushing the dates of the tournament because of foreign players and their international commitments.
"The international commitments that the players have cannot be toyed with and the host broadcasters have already made it clear that they are not too keen on doubleheaders. So, keeping the interest of all parties in place, the best option is to have an IPL behind closed doors. The franchises will have to bear the loss that comes with merchandise sales, but that is a nominal amount as compared to the losses that will be incurred if the IPL doesn't happen in 2020," the official said.
Some franchises are highly dependent on foreign players and with their late joining, it could affect their chances to be in the top four in the tournament.
"See, the Proteas are already in the country, so as per the directive, they can easily stay back. Also, if you see, the Englishmen are already in Sri Lanka and the Kiwis are playing the Aussies in Australia, so they are anyway on the road. We just need the BCCI to sit down with the governmental departments and get us the clearance so that we can have the IPL with foreign players. The whole tournament will lose its charm if the foreign players are not there. It is the biggest cricket carnival in the world for a reason," the official told IANS.
The Union Sports Secretary Radhey Shyam Julaniya has already said if a tournament can not be avoided, it should make sure there is no public gathering.
"All national federations, including the BCCI, have been told to adhere to the guidelines and advisory issued by the ministry of health and public welfare. We have also told them to avoid any public gathering and if a sporting event has to be organized, it should be done without gathering of people.
"It is the state government who has to manage the crowd and who has the power under the epidemic diseases act (Epidemic Act of 1897). If it is unavoidable and it has to be organized, then they should do it without collecting the crowd," he told IANS.
(WITH IANS INPUTS)
