PM Narendra Modi will be speaking to eminent Indian sporting personalities, including Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Virat Kohli and Virender Sehwag, in order to reach the masses of the country fighting a strenuous battle with COVID-19 pandemic. 

Modi through these big names would be able to spread his message of staying safe and indoors amid the 21-day countrywide lockdown to every citizen.

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"The Prime Minister will be holding a conference call with not just the likes of Ganguly, Tendulkar, Kohli," a source close to the development told IANS. "It will also have other sports personalities who can then go ahead and pass on the message of staying safe and staying indoors as the country fights against the pandemic."

With the likelihood of the lockdown being extended in the given circumstances, a clear, heartfelt message shall definitely help. 

The source, however, confirmed that the fate of the 13th edition of the IPL won't be discussed. 

"If you are asking if there will be a call on the fate of the IPL, no that will not happen."

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is contemplating different options for the tournament that was suspended until at least April 15 in wake of the deadly outbreak. 

One of those is to have a different window for the cash-rich T20 league, possibly in October-November if the ICC decides to postpone the T20 World Cup in Australia where there is likely to be a six-month travelling ban in place. 

Kiren Rijiju, the sports minister, had talked up how even though it is the BCCI which decides on cricketing matters, the pandemic is something that has a direct effect on all the countrymen. 

IPL franchises are awaiting fresh advisory from the government on April 14, when the existing lockdown is due to end, before they could plan their next meeting. 

(Inputs from IANS)