Kumble, Laxman 'Optimistic' IPL's 13th Edition Can Be Staged Later This Year Despite COVID-19 Threat

"Yes we are hopeful and optimistic that there's still a possibility if we can cram in the schedule," ICC Cricket Committee Chairman Anil Kumble said while speaking on Star Sports Cricket Connected show.

Photo: AFP

New Delhi: Former Indian Test cricketers Anil Kumble and VVS Laxman are quite optimistic and hopeful that despite a major threat looming over the staging of  the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) amid the COVID-19 pandemic; the T20 league will take place in 2020, even if the T20 league has to happen behind close doors in front on empty stands. The cash rich money spinning league, which was scheduled to commence on March 29, stands indefinitely postponed due to widespread of the COVID-19 pandemic. "Yes we are hopeful and optimistic that there's still a possibility if we can cram in the schedule," ICC Cricket Committee Chairman Anil Kumble said while speaking on Star Sports Cricket Connected show. "If we are going to have a stadium without spectators, then probably have three or four venues; there's still a possibility, we are all optimistic," he added. The T20 World Cup is slated to take place in Australia in October and November, but due to the coronavirus pandemic the global tournament is most likely to be postponed. With uncertainty over the future of the T20 World Cup, BCCI is looking at a end-September to early-November window for the cash-rich league. Meanwhile, Laxman said that what can be done is to find a venue in the country which has three or four grounds so as to avoid much travelling, which will be a matter of concern amid the COVID-19 pandemic. "Absolutely, and also make sure that all the stakeholders have a say. Anil (Kumble) mentioned that you can have two or four venues, I still feel that you should identify one venue, which probably has three or four grounds; if at all you find that kind of a venue because travel is again going to be quite challenging," said Laxman. "You don't know who's going to be where at the airports, so that I'm sure the franchises and the BCCI will be looking into."