With the Delhi government refusing to allow IPL games to go ahead in the national capital amid fears of coronavirus spread, the BCCI is now left exploring alternative venues in states who might agree to conduct matches during the league's 13th edition, due to begin on March 29. 

Manish Sisodia, the Delhi Deputy Chief Minister, on Friday (March 13) confirmed that the city won't be hosting any sporting event for atleast a month as part of the precautionary measures to tackle the pandemic. 

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"All sports gatherings will be banned, including the IPL, in wake of the coronavirus threat," Sisodia told reporters. 

The city's Arun Jaitley Stadium plays host for Delhi Capitals franchise. 

The board is contemplating the way forward in wake of adversity, left with basically two options: either to postpone the event or play it behind closed doors. 

"Lucknow has been wanting to host IPL matches for a while now. If it’s a closed-door tournament, it really doesn’t matter where it is played,” a BCCI source told PTI.

Karnataka, even before Delhi, expressed unwillingness to host IPL matches. Maharashtra has already banned the sale of tickets.

(Inputs from PTI)