India vs South Africa ODI Series Called Off Due To Coronavirus Threat

The matches were earlier planned to be held behind closed doors due to the government directive, which asked for sporting events to be shut for fans in view of the pandemic

Photo: BCCI (Twitter)

New Delhi: The remaining two ODIs between India and South Africa in Lucknow and Kolkata were on Friday called off in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. The first ODI between the two sides in Dharamsala was abandoned due to rain, without a ball being bowled. It was earlier announced on Thursday that the remaining two ODIs will be played without fans in the stands.  "With the IPL being postponed, it only made sense that at this point of time, this series is also called off. The country is facing a serious pandemic," a top BCCI official told PTI. "The South African team will come to Delhi and leave by taking at the earliest available flight," he added. The matches were earlier planned to be held behind closed doors due to the government directive, which asked for sporting events to be shut for fans in view of the pandemic. BCCI has also decided to postpone the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League and while it was originally set to start from March 29, it will now be held from April 15. The same has been conveyed to the franchises. Speaking to IANS, a BCCI official said that it was decided that the best way forward is to hold the cash-rich league from April 15. "Yes, the internal decision has been made to postpone the start of the tournament and it will begin on April 15, the BCCI has informed the franchises about the same," the official said. The government on Wednesday cancelled all visas, except for a few official categories, till April 15 in the wake of the growing scare. India has recorded more than 80 positive cases so far with the global infected count standing at over 100,000. The death toll because of the virus has gone beyond 5,000 internationally. (With Agency Inputs)