BCCI Working On All Options To Stage IPL 2020, Including Holding Matches Behind Closed Doors: Sourav Ganguly

The BCCI has been unable to decide on a proper with window because of ICC indecision to postpone or conduct the tournament but after Wednesday teleconference as part of ICC board, Ganguly is very certain that the World Cup T20 will be postponed and IPL window will be cleared.

Sourav Ganguly (Image: Getty)

New Delhi: BCCI President Sourav Ganguly via an email to all affiliated members of the body has stated that the apex cricket board in the nation is keen to host the Indian Premier League (IPL) and is working on all possible options to stage the cash rich T20 tournament, even considering holding the thirteenth edition of the league behind closed doors later this year. The BCCI has been unable to decide on a proper with window because of ICC indecision to postpone or conduct the tournament but after Wednesday teleconference as part of ICC board, Ganguly is very certain that the World Cup T20 will be postponed and IPL window will be cleared. The BCCI, meanwhile, is busy preparing a schedule for domestic cricket, which will kickstart India's preparation. It is likely that a camp will be called with Team India cricketers and a tournament be stages with 30-35 cricketers ,including Virat Rohit and MS Dhoni. The letter states: "The BCCI is working on all possible options to ensure that we are able to stage the IPL this year, even if it means playing the tournament in empty stadiums". In his letter, Ganguly has also mentioned that cricket activities all over the nation have come to a standstill due to coronavirus, and added that training and competitive cricket might resume in the next two months. "The BCCI is in the process of developing a COVID-19 Standard Operation Procedure (SOP) for all State Cricket Associations. Essentially this SOP is being made with a view of providing our Members with a standard set of guidelines which will help the associations to resume cricket in their respective areas," Ganguly wrote in his letter to all affiliated members. Talking about domestic cricket, Ganguly has said: "Moving ahead, the BCCI is in the process of planning the domestic competitions for the next cricketing season. We are working on various formats and options in our endeavour to ensure that various domestic tournaments are held, they stay competitive and participation is feasible. The BCCI will come up with more details on this front over the next couple of weeks". The BCCI president has also said that during this lockdown period, the board has tried to release the dues of everyone involved with the board. The IPL was scheduled to commence from March 29 but was postponed indefinitely due to the coronavirus pandemic. It is being speculated that the tournament might be played in the October-November window if the ICC decides to postpone the T20 World Cup.