IPL cancellation on cards

New Delhi, March 25

The cancellation of this year’s Indian Premier League looks inevitable with the Indian cricket board (BCCI) under tremendous pressure after the declaration of a 21-day nationwide lockdown to contain the deadly Covid-19 pandemic. When BCCI postponed the IPL to April 15 earlier this month, it said conducting the tournament could be considered only when the pandemic subsides. However, there hasn’t been any remarkable change in the situation.

BCCI president Sourav Ganguly did not have much to say on the current scenario, which was made worse by the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics to the summer of 2021, on Tuesday. “I can’t say anything at the moment. We are at the same place where we were on the day we postponed. Nothing has changed in the last 10 days. So, I don’t have an answer to it. Status quo remains,” Ganguly said, his helplessness palpable. Kings XI Punjab owner Ness Wadia was more forthright. “BCCI should really consider postponing the IPL now. As a premier event, we need to act with great responsibility. Contemplation of IPL is inhuman right now,” Wadia said. — PTI