Fri. Mar 29th, 2024

“Discussion” is underway as to whether the Indian Premier League (IPL) should be postponed in view of the coronavirus outbreak, Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope said here on Saturday.

The annual T20 cricket extravaganza is scheduled to start from March 29 in Mumbai with a match between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings.

“There is always a danger of spread (of contagious diseases) when people gather in large numbers. Such events can always be organised later. So discussion is on whether to postpone the IPL,” Tope told reporters here. No confirmed coronavirus infection case has been reported in Maharashtra yet.

BCCI president Sourav Ganguly is positive

BCCI President Sourav Ganguly has made it clear that the upcoming IPL edition is “ON” and the board is making all efforts for the smooth conduct of the tournament which starts March 29.

“It’s on…and BCCI will take all protection (against coronavirus),” Ganguly told ESPNcricinfo when asked how the board was dealing with the coronavirus outbreak.

The board would replicate the precautionary guidelines recommended by the government and send them to all the stakeholders which includes players, franchises, airlines, team hotels, broadcast crews and everyone else involved in the running of the tournament.

The board is also likely to advise players not to shake hands with fans or even possibly take pictures with devices that are not their own.

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