The global Coronavirus pandemic has been hugely affecting the sporting world including cricket with the deadly outbreak putting a serious question mark on the future of the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020, which is the most discussing matter presently among the cricket fraternity.
Many cricketing events have been suspended indefinitely in the wake of the growing COVID-19 pandemic across the globe, while the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) is yet to take the final call on the fate of IPL 2020 – which was originally scheduled to start on March 29, but it is now suspended because of the coronavirus outbreak with no international star available for the event till April 15.
Well, several foreign players are participating in the cash-rich T20 tournament but travel ban by many countries because of the COVID-19 outbreak could be a hindrance in the players’ participation in the tournament even if the 13th edition of the IPL happens in India.
However, David Warner is ready to go against Australia’s travel ban amid Coronavirus outbreak to captain the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the IPL 2020 if the tournament is held.
Noteworthy, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced an indefinite level four travel ban, closing borders for visitors and advising all citizens against traveling outside the country.
On Thursday (March 19), Warner's manager James Erskine revealed that the SRH captain intends to play in the IPL 2020 if the cash-rich league takes place this season.
Erskine told The Age: “If the IPL is on David Warner’s planning on going. If things change dramatically, which can happen in the space of an hour, the answer is you change your mind. It’s no different to everybody else.”
According to Health Ministry data, the number of coronavirus cases in India has increased to 195 while the deadly virus has infected 245885 peoples and claimed over 10000 lives till now.
Noteworthy, Steve Smith, Aaron Finch, Pat Cummins, and Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, and Billy Stanlake are the top Australian players who have IPL contracts for the 13th season.
(With The Age Inputs)
