Coronavirus Threat: IPL 2020 Won't Be Postponed, Confirms Sourav Ganguly To ABP News

Amidst coronavirus outbreak, Maharashtra Health Minister has said "such events (IPL) can be organised later."

BCCI President Sourav Ganguly / (Photo by Punit PARANJPE / AFP)

New Delhi: The Indian Premier League 2020 will be held as scheduled, confirmed BCCI President Sourav Ganguly to ABP News on Monday.  His confirmation comes amid the coronavirus scare in the country and Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope suggesting to postpone the league in the view of the rising cases of the COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus. However, sources had earlier claimed that if the situation in the country worsened, the event could stand cancelled, as change in dates is not feasible. This year’s IPL is slated to begin on March 29 in Mumbai with a match between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings at the Wankhede Stadium. “There is always a possible danger of spread when large numbers of people gather in one place. Such events can always be organised later,” Tope said about IPL while interacting with media persons. He also said that discussions are currently on in official circles whether to postpone the IPL, and a decision would be taken and announced shortly. His remarks come three weeks before the mega cricketing event kicks. The minister’s remarks came just over three weeks before the start of the 2020 season of IPL. He said that discussions are currently on in official circles whether to postpone IPL and a decision would be taken and announced shortly The much-awaited IPL-13 with over four dozen matches in the time-table is scheduled for a grand kick-off on March 29 and will continue till May 24 at various locations across the country. Tope's comments went viral on social media, especially since it came days after BCCI President Sourav Ganguly had asserted that there would be no change in the IPL schedule. "We will take all precautions. I don't know exactly what are these, it's only the medical team which will tell us about that. The medical team is already in touch with the hospitals so that everything is available," Ganguly had said, adding that the organisers would abide by the advice of doctors. (additional inputs from IANS)