IPL in trouble? Foreign players unavailable till April 15 after visa curbs: BCCI Sources

In a big development, a Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) source confirmed that foreign player will be available for upcoming IPL till April 15 due to visa restrictions imposed by government in wake of COVID-19 outbreak. This comes two days after a plea had been filed in Madras High Court seeking a direction to central government t to allow Board of Control for Cricket in India to conduct Indian Premier League T20 cricket matches from March 29-May 24 due to coronavirus outbreak. 

According to petitioner, coronavirus was spreading all over 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”. 13th edition of IPL is scheduled to kick off on March 29 at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai — defending champions Mumbai Indians will take on last year’s runners up Chennai Super Kings. 

READ: IPL 2020: BCCI President Sourav Ganguly clarifies, tournament to go on as scheduled

READ: Plea in HC against IPL cricket matches in wake of COVID-19

However, IPL doesn't happen to be only sporting event that is facing issues. Globally, sporting events such as English Premier League clash between Manchester City and Arsenal, and Indian Wells tennis tournament have been canceled due to fears of disease spreading. Even bigger than that, NBA season has been suspended.

Meanwhile, World Health Organisation declared outbreak a pandemic as pathogen rapidly spread to more than 121,000 people from Asia, Middle East, Europe and rth America. Speaking to reporters in Geneva, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adham Ghebreyesus warned of a furr rise in number of cases, number of deaths and number of affected countries. Furrmore, number of positive cases in India has soared up to 67. 

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