The 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been suspended indefinitely until further notice due to the ongoing global Coronavirus pandemic. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an extension of the 21-day nationwide lockdown till May 3 on Tuesday (April 14) to combat the outbreak.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly stated that there is no possibility to stage the IPL 2020 in its designated window in the current situation in the country, which led the event "postponed indefinitely".
The franchises have been informed about the same and they all are on the same page. Though, the official announcement yet to be made regarding the postponement.
Following the latest development, legendary Indian batsman VVS Laxman has hailed the premier T20 extravaganza while suggesting the IPL 2020 should be held before the forthcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2020 in order to set the tone for a hectic cricket season post the COVID-19 outbreak.
He also said hosting the IPL 2020 before the T20 World Cup 2020 will serve as great preparation for the players for the showpiece event to be held in Australia later this year.
All the sporting events across the world badly hit by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and Laxman believes that IPL 13 should kick off the cricket calendar once things come back to normal.
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Laxman said on Star Sports 1 show Cricket Connected, “I think some of the cricket boards will be encouraging the fact that IPL is a big tournament, and everyone acknowledges that. And just before the World Cup, it will set the tone for a hectic cricket season. But I just hope that everything is normal, and no one is in danger. And once that happens, I am sure the IPL should kick off the cricket calendar.”
Noteworthy, it was former England captain and commentator Michael Vaughan who first suggested that there will be a window for both IPL and the T20 World Cup if they are played back to back
(With Hindustan Times Inputs)
