Coronavirus fears: Will BCCI cancel IPL 2020?

Despite BCCI president Sourav Ganguly's assertion that the 2020 edition of the Indian Premier League (March 29-May 24) will go ahead as scheduled, a report in ABP News claimed that the high-profile tournament could be cancelled over Coronavirus fears.

In view of the looming Covid-19 threats around the country, Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope had indicated on Saturday that the government could consider postponing the IPL.

"There is always a possible danger of spread (of contagious diseases) when large numbers of people gather in one place... Such (IPL) events can always be organised later," Tope told reporters.

Tope's comments went viral on social media, especially since it came days after BCCI president Ganguly had asserted that there would be no change in the IPL schedule.

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"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.

But ABP News on Monday claimed that the tournament could be cancelled this year.

As per the ABP News report, dates cannot be changed as they are planned according to the international calendar. So in a worst-case scenario, the Indian cricket board might have to cancel the cash-rich league this year.