International cricket council (ICC) in a meeting on Wednesday, decided to postpone their call on T20 World cup that was scheduled for October-November this year. Meanwhile, BCCI made its own move. BCCI communicated internally to its associated State units that preparations are underway for this year's Indian Premier League (IPL) that was suspended.
Sourav Ganguly, the President of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), wrote in a letter, "The BCCI is working on all possible options to ensure that we are able to stage the IPL this year, even if it means playing the tournament in empty stadiums."
He further added, "The fans, franchisees, players, broadcasters, sponsors and all other stakeholders are keenly looking forward to the possibility of IPL being hosted this year."
Even though no specific time frame has been given, but it's clear that BCCI can only stage the IPL after the monsoon in India, which means, not before the end of September. It leaves the BCCI to make good use of its bureaus and its power to create a window for the T20 League.
While hosting of multi-national events in the world affected by COVID-19 appears to be a logistical nightmare, the Asia Cup is still scheduled for September which is yet to be postponed by the Asian Cricket Council.
"Recently a lot of players, both from India and other countries, participating in IPL have also shown their keenness on being a part of this year IPL. We are optimistic, and the BCCI will shortly decide on the future course of action on this," Ganguly wrote, illustrating the importance of IPL to all the stakeholders.
BCCI will face a loss of Rs 4,000 crore if the cash-rich league is not held this year. SOPs for the resumption of training and cricket activities will be sent soon to all the state units. "The BCCI is in the process of developing a Covid-19 Standard Operation Procedures (SOP) for all State cricket associations. Essentially this SOP is being made with a view of providing our Members with a standard set of guidelines which will help the associations to resume cricket in their respective areas. The BCCI has engaged medical specialists for the drafting of this SOP. I would like to assure all our members that the office bearers at BCCI are continuously monitoring the pandemic situation and all efforts are being made to ensure that cricket resumes soon," Ganguly further added in the letter.
