With the fate of the 13th edition of the IPL hanging in balance due to COVID-19 pandemic, BCCI and IPL franchises are hoping against hope for the cash-rich T20 league to take place at some stage in future. 

All of the league's stakeholders are keeping an eye on the situation in the country, which remains in an official 21-day lockdown because of the deadly outbreak. 

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And considering foreign players are key to IPL's status as the biggest giant among all short-format leagues across the globe, the BCCI has been in constant touch with cricket boards from Australia, England, South Africa and others, keeping them in loop over the developments and directives from central government.

"While various options have been discussed like a closed-door tournament, or a curtailed one, it is almost clear that everyone wants foreign players to be a part of the IPL and that is one of the major highlights of the tournament," a BCCI official told IANS.

"So, we have been constantly updating the boards of the situation here and the directives that are being issued by the health department as well as the government in the fight against coronavirus."

"In fact, it is a two-way process as international border lockdown is also an aspect that needs to be kept in mind because at the end of the day whenever the IPL does happen, the foreign players need to fly in," the official added. 

If the situation improves, one option up for discussion will be a new window for the annual event to be played. An October-November slot might be considered if the ICC decides to postpone the T20 World Cup in Australia where there is a six-month lockdown in place. 

IPL franchises are awaiting fresh advisory from the Indian government on April 14, when the existing lockdown in the country ends, to then possibly plan their next round of meetings. 

(Inputs from IANS)