As the coronavirus is rising ferociously on the global map the effects of it has started to be felt. Major sporting events across the world are under its hammer including the Tokyo Olympics. In the context of the cricket, the world’s most popular T20 league IPL is under the threat.
The Delhi government on Friday announced that no matches of IPL would be played in Delhi. This comes after the Delhi government shut all schools, colleges, cinema halls in the capital till 31st March. Not only the IPL any kind of Sport’s gathering has been prohibited by the Delhi government in the capital.
The BCCI President Sourav Ganguly has already said that the tournament would go as scheduled. However, there has been no confirmation from state governments in regard to the staging of matches. With the Delhi government taking the 1st step many state governments can go this way.
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Even if the IPL continues it would follow the pattern of sports events across the globe. It is expected that the IPL would be played amidst ’empty stands’ as no tickets would be sold to avoid public gatherings. The start of this cricket without spectators in the ground would take place in the ongoing India vs South Africa ODI series. The upcoming two matches would be played without a crowd gathering. The Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association which is hosting the 2nd ODI in Lucknow also clarified the same.
The 1st ODI between Australia and New Zealand that is being played today at Sydney Cricket Ground is the first to go “empty stands” amidst the coronavirus scare. The ICC and other Cricket Boards are expected to make such arrangements soon. Australian fast bowler Kane Richardson is also missing the match as the results of his COVID-19 test are pending. Richardson is suspected to have been affected by the virus.
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The coronavirus that has been declared ‘pandemic’ by WHO has so far killed thousands of people with the majority in China and Italy. India so far has over 75 plus cases reported with 3 recovered and 1 death.
