The Free Press Journal & ABP Network Present The Bombay Debate | Should We Go Ahead With The IPL This Year?

Watch Bombay Debate: Cricket and medical experts debate if IPL should be hosted this year due to the pandemic.

Photo: @IPL (Twitter)

Mumbai: In a big relief for cricket fans all over the world, India's flagship sporting event, 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), is all set to take place in UAE from September 19 to November 18. The postponement of the T20 Wolrd Cup has finally cleared the route for the cash-rich league but the BCCI still awaits Indian government's final decision. The IPL governing council will meet on August 2 to discuss arrangements and schedule. But the question still remains, is it prudent to conduct the IPL while the pandemic still rages on? The coronavirus still poses a threat to the world and with no cure for the virus, should UAE - a country where coronavirus is a minor threat compared to India - host the IPL? But, some still argue in favour of hosting the IPL, as European countries have resumed football albeit behind closed doors.

Watch experts debate about this on YouTube in the BOMBAY DEBATE  by The Free Press Journal (FPJ) and ABP Network.

Roshan Abbas (Moderator): Should IPL be held this year? IPL is happening at a time when there's a pandemic upon us. Is this meant to take away people's attention from the ongoing Coronavirus situation in India?

Dr Shashank Joshi, Member of Covid-19 Task Force, Govt. of Maharashtra: We are in COVID times and the entire earth has stopped because of this. India breaths and lives cricket. it's a high-risk situation because it is a team sport. It's a challenge we are having because of the high-risk behaviour and the threat of transmission. The whole world is shut down and it will be a high-risk proposition. Recent Test series between England and West Indies was conducted because England has already passed the Covid-19 peak but India is about to enter its coronavirus peak so I think it's worth taking a break for next 5-6 months. It is tough to find a green zone in India and also all private and gov infrastructures have been turned into a battleground so all are resources are occupied. I am sure ground like Dhramashala can be used in future to conduct IPL but we should wait for more 5-6 months.

Lalachand Rajput, Indian cricketer & Head Coach of Zimbabwe cricket team: IPL is a big event for not only fans but players as well. Cricketers who don't play for the national team need IPL the most because they rely upon the event for their livelihood. In India currently, it's very difficult to have IPL and that's why BCCI has moved it to UAE so that the players can show their talent, especially players who are keen to play in the IPL to show their talent and get a chance to play in the national team or make a comeback. A veteran like MS Dhoni, if he plays well in the league even he can make a comeback, so yes, IPL should be conducted but in a safer environment. I  am sure UAE gov has taken steps to make sure players, officials and support staff will be safe.

It has been said we are in a war-like situation and yes we are in one but I feel returning to normalcy is very much important and holding IPL will also mark the return of normalcy in our lives. Also, we should not forget that the entire cricket economy of the world is dependent on cricket in India and if IPL is not held in India we are going to lose a big chunk of money. The money BCCI earns from the IPL eventually reaches to ICC, state boards and players.

Jatin Paranjpe, Indian cricketer and BCCI national selector: Let's not forget that the IPL is India's big flagship sporting event. BCCI has balanced out the entire medical and financial risk by moving out the tournament to a venue that can have a very secure bubble. India's structure won't be able to handle everything because most of it is already occupied. BCCI has ensured the financial health of the broadcasters and has taken a good step. The board also waited well and even postponed the event earlier to endure the safety of everyone.

Neeraj Kumar, Ex-Police Commissioner of Delhi: There has been no cricket for the players since India vs New Zealand series. Can u imagine the mental stress on the mind of cricketers? Also, there's a risk that players skills get rusted. If IPL is conducted, the player will get a chance to go out and show his skills.

FPJ & ABP Network Present The Bombay Debate | Should We Go Ahead With The IPL This Year? (WATCH BELOW) The speakers for the debate

• Dr Shashank Joshi and, a government employee in the COVID task force and Neeraj Kumar, former Police Commissioner of Delhi.
• Lalchand Rajput, former Indian cricketer and the head coach of the Zimbabwe national team and Jatin Paranjpe, Indian cricketer and BCCI National selector.
• Ashish Shelar, MLA & Leading Advocate and Jitendra Awhad, Housing Minister of the Maharashtra Government are the last two speakers of the debate.

The judges 

•  Former actor Poonam Dhillon,
• Professor Alok Rai, Vice-Chancellor of Lucknow University
• Dinkar Gupta, the DGP of Punjab Police.

Roshan Abbas, a well-known TV anchor will be the debate moderator.