Get Instant News Updates
Enable
x
Notification Settings X
Time Settings
Done
Clear Notification X
Do you want to clear all the notifications from your inbox?
Settings X
For Quick Alerts
ALLOW NOTIFICATIONS  
For Daily Alerts
 

Coronavirus: Hosting IPL 2020 is our first priority, says Sourav Ganguly

BCCI chief Sourav Ganguly has claimed the board's first priority is to host IPL in this year amidst growing novel coronavirus concerns in the country.

Coronavirus: Hosting IPL 2020 is our first priority, says Sourav Ganguly

New Delhi, July 8: BCCI chief Sourav Ganguly has claimed the board's first priority is to host IPL in this year amidst growing novel coronavirus concerns in the country.

The thirteenth edition of IPL, which was scheduled to begin on March 29, has been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We don't want the year 2020 to finish without an IPL. Our first priority is India and even if we get 35 to 40 days, we will host it. But we don't know where...," Ganguly said on India Today show "Inspiration".

Countries like New Zealand, Sri Lanka and the UAE have offered to host the cash-rich domestic tournament in case there are logistical issues in India with the rapid rise in coronavirus cases.

Hosting the league overseas is an option but that would result in increased costs.

"I will put it in this order. Firstly, whether we can (have an IPL) within the time frame as IPL has a limited window.

"Secondly India. If it's not possible then we are thinking of going out (abroad). But going out where...because if you go out it becomes expensive for everyone -- franchises and board.

"Because of the conversion rate and currency exchange rate, it becomes expensive. So we are monitoring but as I said we are very keen to host it and got our fingers crossed."

The BCCI also believes that the delay in taking a final call on the fate of the T20 World Cup is keeping them waiting.

"We don't know yet as we don't have a decision from ICC regarding the T20 World Cup. We keep hearing different things from the media but unless it is officially told to Board members, you don't know what''s happening," he said.

Ganguly is aware of the grim situation in Indian cities with IPL franchises.

"If it doesn't happen in India because of COVID then places like Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai, these have big teams in IPL but at this point, you can't put a hand to your heart and say cricket will happen in these places.

"Ahmedabad we were keen to go there. It's an amazing stadium. I don't know whether we can go there or not. It's not easy at the moment to say we are going to host it in India."

The entire IPL was shifted out of India in 2009 when it was held in South Africa as the dates clashed with the general elections in the country.

"See it's been very tough for every one of us and I look at everyone as a whole. Being in lockdown from March, April and May and then everything opened up. But everything opened up with a scare.

"Anyway, if you look at numbers, it's more than it was during the lockdown. It's spreading very quickly. It''s scary but I have never experienced any such thing ever in my life."

The BCCI boss, though, also hoped that the sport is back at the earliest.

"See I want to have it as I said that cricket needs to be back. For us, this is actually offseason which has actually helped. We finished our season in March just after which IPL was about to start.

"And we had to cancel IPL which is the most important part of our domestic season. We want IPL to happen. Because life needs to be back to normal. Cricket needs to be back to normal."

Story first published: Wednesday, July 8, 2020, 18:25 [IST]
Other articles published on Jul 8, 2020