The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is not considering the option of cutting down salaries of Indian players to make up for the potential losses following suspension of international, domestic fixtures amid the COVID-19 outbreak, said a source in the governing body to ANI.
The India-South Africa ODI series in March got indefinitely postponed. But the major bone of contention is the IPL 2020 not happening on time. The league's 13th edition, if cancelled, will have major financial implications for all stakeholders.
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However, the board wants at least the players to go unaffected.
“We have not thought about it, this is not even in our minds as of now," a source closed to the matter told ANI.
“There is no clarity as of now when the situation improves, only then we can take a call (on IPL). When the picture is so hazy, how can we take a call. Suppose we decide now, but the situation is not clear by April 15th, then what will happen," the source added.
BCCI's stance here is unlike that of cricket boards from England, Australia where the announcement of new central contracts has been delayed and players are expecting discussions with administrators over pay cut.
Coming back to the IPL, the board is hoping for more clarity regarding the situation in coming days to be able to make a concrete decision, especially with the country in a 21-day lockdown.
"Until and unless we are clear on visa restrictions, there could be country wise restrictions as well," said the source, keeping in mind top overseas players. "So, we do not know what the situation will be, as of now the situation is so hazy, so there is no point in thinking about anything."
If the situation improves in the near future, one option up for discussions would be a new window in the calendar for the cash-rich T20 league.
"See if we had discussed some permutation or combination last time when we had met with franchises, but this depends on the window we finally get," the source said. "If there is some window available, then only we can take a call. Right now, the entire country should just focus on when the situation improves."
As per official data put forward by the Health Ministry, total number of COVID-19 positive cases jumped up to 1,637 in India on Wednesday (April 1), including 1,466 active cases, 133 cured/discharged/migrated people and 38 who have died.
(Inputs from ANI)
