With the World Health Organisation declaring Coronavirus outbreak a global pandemic on Thursday (March 12), the announcement force South Africa to take the “drastic action” over their ongoing limited-overs’ tour of India, as well as, the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020.
The global Coronavirus pandemic has now started impacting both men’s and women’s international schedule around the world and also a major threat to the upcoming IPL 2020 along with the ongoing South Africa series as well with the cases of this deadly disease are rising in India.
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However, South Africa’s tour to India continues after the first ODI was washed out on Thursday in Dharamsala, while the BCCI has announced that the remaining final two ODIs would be played "without any public gathering, including spectators" in Lucknow and Kolkata respectively on March 15 and 18.
Meanwhile, the Indian government advised all sporting federations, including the BCCI, to organize the games in front of empty stands in order to stop this deadly virus from spreading, as well as, for the safety of the public, players and support staff as well.
Well, the upcoming IPL 2020 is also in danger of being adversely affected due to the global pandemic – which could also play a role in South African players’ participation in the T20 extravaganza.
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The total number of nine South African players is to play in the upcoming cash-rich event while three of them, including David Miller, Quinton de Kock, and Kagiso Rabada are currently in India playing in the ongoing ODI series – are yet to show any concerns regarding the virus.
On being asked whether they are rethinking their participation in the IPL, the Proteas team media manager told Cricbuzz on Thursday: “They haven't expressed any sentiments of that nature to us yet.”
But it seems that the South African players’ participation in the upcoming IPL 2020 will not be their own, as Jacques Faul, Cricket South Africa's acting chief executive, said: “For the players, it's not a big issue at all. If they get it they will recover. It's the people in the stands who are the concern.”
He added, “It's more about public safety, but we are monitoring the situation on a 12-hour basis. Our medical committee is dealing with it, and if we get an expert opinion, we will take drastic action.”
Noteworthy, other South Africans who are to play in the upcoming edition of the IPL are Chris Morris, Dale Steyn, AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir, and Hardus Viljoen.
On de Villiers' plans for the IPL 2020, his agent Edward Griffiths said: “I believe the BCCI are meeting in India on Saturday, and AB - as with all other players - will be guided by the tournament organizers.”
The BCCI and IPL Governing Council will take the final call on the tournament after meeting on Saturday.
(With Cricbuzz Inputs)
