Coronavirus impacts IPL - LIVE updates | MEA advises 'against conducting IPL this time'

In a big development, a Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) source confirmed that no foreign player will be available for the upcoming IPL till April 15 due to the visa restrictions imposed by the government in wake of COVID-19 outbreak. This comes two days after a plea had been filed in the Madras High Court seeking a direction to the central government not to allow the Board of Control for Cricket in India to conduct Indian Premier League T20 cricket matches from March 29-May 24 due to the coronavirus outbreak. 

According to the petitioner, the coronavirus was spreading all over the world rapidly and creating a huge epidemic disaster. 

Earlier, Maharashtra health minister Rajesh Tope had also raised issues stating that large events do get canceled and that “human life has far more value than IPL”. The 13th edition of the IPL is scheduled to kick off on March 29 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai — defending champions Mumbai Indians will take on last year’s runners up Chennai Super Kings. 

MEA sources have confirmed that no foreign player will be able to take part in the upcoming edition of the IPL until April 15 owing to the travel restrictions imposed in the wake of the novel coronavirus outbreak 

Madras High Court, on Thursday, asked the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to respond to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking cancellation of the Indian Premier League (IPL) due to the outbreak of Coronavirus.

The PIL was filed by advocate G Alex Benziger and it stated that the virus was spreading all over the world rapidly and creating a huge epidemic disaster. The PIL cited the decision to stop all matches in Italy following the outbreak of the virus in the country.  The petitioner said he had sent a representation to authorities not to allow the BCCI to conduct IPL T20 cricket matches. 

Madras HC's order came at a time when a PIL was filed in the Supreme Court of India to ban the cricket tournament. The SC denied an urgent hearing of the case and stated that the case was not 'urgent' and that it can be heard when the court reopens after vacation for Holi.

The vacation bench of the Supreme Court on Thursday declined to hear a Public interest Litigation (PIL) regarding the postponement of the Indian Premier League (IPL) matches amid the novel coronavirus outbreak. 

The matter was mentioned on an urgent basis by Advocate ML Agarwal before the bench comprising of Justice U U Lalit and Justice Aniruddha Bose. Sharma in his petition mentioned that more than 30,000 people are expected to arrive for the IPL matches but there are no safety and precaution measures adopted in light for the same. He also suggested that the IPL must be deferred in the light of coronavirus. 

Madras High Court asks BCCI to reply by March 23 on a PIL to cancel Indian Premier League (IPL) matches between March 29 & May 24 due to Coronavirus.

As the debate over keeping the IPL in close-door continues, Congress' Ajay Maken urged Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan to intervene and not allow spectators in the stadium. Earlier, some key stakeholders in IPL urged closed-door matches with no ticket sales to minimise the Coronavirus risk. With the tournament just weeks away, the health ministry has already flagged its concerns to the sports ministry.

The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday advised the organisers of the Indian Premier League (IPL) to not conduct the tournament amid the Coronavirus scare in the country. In a briefing by the MEA, special appointee Dammu Ravi said, "I think it is for the organizers to decide whether to go ahead with it or not. Our advice would be to not do it at this time but if they want to go ahead, it is their decision."

Aaron Finch will be representing the Virat Kohli-led Bangalore Royal Challengers in the 13th edition of the IPL which gets underway on March 29. The Bengaluru outfit will be looking to end their title drought by lifting their maiden trophy this season after falling at the final hurdle on three occasions. However, the team's new recruit Finch feels that it would be weird to play in empty stadiums.

While speaking to a sports news website, Aaron Finch said that it would be weird to play in an empty stadium as one gets so accustomed to the atmosphere of the fans who ride the momentum. Finch also spoked about the support for the tournament from the Australian fans. Meanwhile, the Australian limited-overs vice-captain lauded the franchises for updating players pretty much daily on how that looks and will affect anything going forward.