IPL 2020 likely to suffer ₹10000 cr loss if called off due to coronavirus: Report

Only a few weeks ago, BCCI President Sourav Ganguly had claimed that India vs South Africa ODIs and IPL 2020 would go according to schedule and Indian cricket's apex body will be monitoring global Coronavirus outbreak closely. Fast forward to Thursday, vel coronavirus (COVID-19) has been declared as a pandemic by World Health Organisation (WHO) and curbing its spread is need of hour. India vs. South Africa ODIs will w be played within closed doors while remaining part of  Road Safety World Series has been cancelled. 

Although miniscule by global standards, India's cases have risen to 75 and keep growing by day. In se times of distress, what will happen to Indian Premier League 2020?

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IPL cancelled due to Corona? BCCI to take call on Saturday

With multiple rumours and speculation floating on Internet, it seems fairly plausible that IPL 2020 can be cancelled but dreaded move is t as simple as it looks. advertising campaigns for IPL have already begun with some teams even beginning with ir training camps. Along with se very evident investments, an Indian news portal has reported estimated losses of ₹10,000 crores for Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) if IPL gets called off. se losses will include factors like sponsorships, media rights, franchise revenues and hospitality fees.

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A much smarter move for BCCI at this point will be to carry on with IPL but without in-stadia spectators. According to a few reports that have surfaced, BCCI may consider playing IPL behind closed doors for first fifteen days of tournament. This move will also make sense from a logistical sense as postponing IPL will disturb entire cricketing calendar leading upto Men's T20 World Cup 2020. However, continuing with IPL will still have players at risk and stringent examination will have to be conducted to ensure well-being of all players.

All se queries will be finally laid to rest on Saturday when BCCI will reportedly meet to take a call on future of IPL 2020 at Governing Council meeting in Mumbai. IPL 2020 schedule originally included Mumbai Indians taking on Chennai Super Kings in first match in Mumbai on March 29.

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