IPL 2020 unlikely after nationwide lockdown stops all preparation work for event: Report

hopes of IPL 2020 taking place are getting slimmer by day. One of biggest sports tournaments in world, Indian Premier League was scheduled to begin on March 29 but a sudden outbreak of coronavirus pandemic led BCCI to have IPL postponed to April 15. A nationwide lockdown was anunced by Indian government on Monday till same date. tournament was initially scheduled to begin on March 29 with defending champions Mumbai Indians scheduled to face Chennai Super Kings.

ALSO READ | IPL 2020: Sourav Ganguly unsure of insurance money for stakeholders if event is cancelled

India lockdown: Franchise official admits that tournament may get shelved amidst rapid coronavirus spread

IPL had already been pushed back to date beyond April 15 and current COVID-19 scenario in India makes it feels like tournament may get pushed even furr. Since March 25, country has been put on a India lockdown to curb transmission of vel coronavirus and this means that preparations for IPL are virtually impossible. Speaking to ANI, a BCCI source revealed that since IPL is already postponed to April 15, BCCI will be observing status of coronavirus pandemic in India and n taking a furr call after April 15.

Speaking to ar popular Indian news portal, a source close to a team revealed that IPL has t even been in conversation and while calling IPL cancellation 'premature', it was fairly possible. BCCI had planned to have a conference call with IPL stakeholders on Tuesday but call was soon delayed.

ALSO READ | IPL 2020: RCB star Parthiv Patel has comical birthday wish for 'Professor' Dean Jones

India lockdown: When can IPL 2020 start if t on April 15?

IPL starting on April 15 is highly doubtful as country is in an essential lockdown till April 14. Earlier it was reported that IPL may also be entirely hosted in May and tournament may only be played in a state like Maharashtra. It was also reported that if IPL does t begin by first week of May, n tournament may entirely be shelved. This will happen because of International cricket calendar which is in place.

ALSO READ | IPL 2020: Brendon McCullum decodes MAJOR difference between CSK and RCB in book excerpt

ALSO READ | IPL 2020: BCCI postpones conference call with franchises post nationwide lockdown