The 13th edition of Indian Premier League (IPL), which was initially slated to start on March 29, currently remains suspended until further notice due to COVID-19 pandemic.
The BCCI, on its part, has asserted its intent to conduct the cash-rich tournament but specifics are still not known.
Meanwhile, India pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar has said that the IPL 2020 must happen for 'both cricketing and financial reasons.'
"The IPL must happen. The tournament is important for both cricketing and financial reasons," Bhuvneshwar said at a webinar organised by GainAccess Sports & Entertainment and Sportz Power.
As of now, there is speculation that the BCCI is eyeing October-November window for IPL 2020 if the T20 World Cup, slated to be played in Australia from October 18 to November 15, gets suspended due to travel restrictions in place in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A clearer picture about the window for IPL may emerge if the ICC will take a call on the fate of this year's T20 World Cup in its board meeting next month.
On a different note, the International Cricket Council has banned the traditional practice of using saliva to maintain the shine of the ball to avoid potential on-field COVID-19 spread.
Notably, the apex body did not allow the use of artificial substances as a substitute move.
Just like many former and current fast bowlers, Bhuvneshwar feels there ought to be an alternative to maintain the ball.
"I hope the ICC comes up with some artificial way by which we can shine the ball. You need to do it when you bowl in swinging conditions in (places like) England. Even the spinners need it."
The 30-year old also said that when the series against South Africa was called off due to the Coronavirus outbreak, he believed that any issues caused by the virus would be over by now.
"After the first ODI against South Africa (which was washed out at Dharamshala on March 12), we were scheduled to play the second match at Lucknow, but the entire series was abandoned.
"I was coming back to the Indian team after a gap of four months, following an injury. I had then thought it (the problem created by the virus) would be soon over," Bhuvneshwar said.
(Inputs from CricketNext)
