“Be ready for a truncated IPL, but we’ll consider it as the last option” — that was the message passed on to the franchise owners by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) top brass during a meeting in Mumbai on Saturday.
The meeting, which took place almost 24 hours after the BCCI had decided to “suspend” the 13th edition till April 15 following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, lasted for more than an hour at the Cricket Centre.
The franchises agreed that being cautious was the need of the hour while the BCCI promised to get back to them by the end of this month after assessing the situation. This was followed by an IPL governing council meeting.
“The Board has set itself a deadline of April 20 to have a full-fledged tournament. If it has to be held after that date, then a truncated tournament is a possibility,” a well-placed source told The Telegraph.
“But whatever the circumstances, it has to be completed by May 24, the date set for the final according to the original schedule. At the most, it can be extended by another seven days. If a full tournament is possible, then double headers have to be accommodated over the weekends. The broadcasters have given their green light to the idea.”
Kolkata Knight Riders’ principal owner Shah Rukh Khan leaves the BCCI headquarters on Saturday. (PTI)
A suggestion to extend the cut-off date to June 7 was dismissed because of two reasons — the onset of monsoons and bilateral commitments of different countries.
Besides BCCI president Sourav Ganguly, secretary Jay Shah and IPL chairman Brijesh Patel, the eight franchises were represented by among others Shah Rukh Khan and Venky Mysore (CEO) of Kolkata Knight Riders, Parth Jindal of Delhi Capitals, Akash Ambani of Mumbai Indians, Kasi Viswanath (CEO) of Chennai Super Kings and Ness Wadia of Kings XI Punjab.
“No one is sure what the situation will be after a month. If things escalate, and the virus can do so at a significant pace, it will be an entirely different scenario. We are though staying positive and hoping things will improve because of the precautionary measures adopted by the government.
“If that is so, then may be we can start by April 20 and have a full tournament. In a worst-case scenario if we can’t start, say before the first week of May, then the tournament itself will be uncertain,” said a top-ranked franchise official.
BCCI president Sourav Ganguly and secretary Jay Shah arrive at the Cricket Centre in Mumbai. (PTI)
The franchises agreed to have matches behind closed doors at least during the first half of the tournament if it begins by April 20.
Sourav said that the BCCI would “assess and monitor” the situation in the country on a weekly basis.
“We met the owners to tell them how it can happen and where do we stand at the moment. At the moment, it is just postponed. We will assess the situation,” the BCCI president said in Mumbai.
“It will be reassessed every week. I can’t say at the moment (about a deadline). It has to be worked around. As much as we want to host the IPL, we also need to be careful about the security.”
The former India captain also didn’t wish to divulge anything about a back-up plan. “I can’t say anything at the moment, allow us a week, let’s see how it goes around the world.”
Availability of overseas players was one of the top conditions that have been set for the league. “We have to wait till April 15 to clear the air about foreigners. Their availability adds glamour and some of the franchises are heavily dependent on them. That’s a condition most franchises have put across to the Board,” the franchise official said.
