Introduction
The IPL 2020 schedule will be released in the situation suffered with corona also.
Highlights:
- BCCI suspend IPL 2020 for now till 15 April 2020.
- BCCI postpone VIVO IPL 2020 and it may start now from 15 April 2020
- There is a strong possibility of postponing or cancelation the IPL 2020. Due to Visa cancellation, overseas players might not available till 15 April.
Coronavirus COVID-19 now impart to IPL 2020 also. Till yesterday 12 March 2020 there was no confirmed news about any delay or postponement of the IPL 2020 match. BCCI Chairman Sourav Ganguly confirms on 9 March 2020 that there will be no change in the Schedule. But today on 13 March 2020 it’s officially confirmed from BBCI that due to Coronavirus COVID-19, IPL postponed to 15 April 2020.
But as per the internal sources BCCI and Indian Premier league doing high level meeting to take a decision on IPL 2020. There could be delays in upcoming IPL schedule or may be pros-pond this year. The IPL core committee is watching closely to the Coronavirus COVID-19 spread in India and they will take decision accordingly. Till today 9 March 2020 there are 43 confirmed cases in India and many are tested in Lab waiting for results. Hopefully in few day situations will be in control with weather change in India and we will enjoy IPL 2020 as per the schedule.
Awards
Orange Cap
The Orange Cap is awarded to the top run-scorer in the IPL during a season. It is an ongoing competition with the leader wearing the cap throughout the tournament until the final game, with the eventual winner keeping the cap for the season.
Purple Cap
The Purple Cap is awarded to the top wicket-taker in the IPL during a season. It is an ongoing competition with the leader wearing the cap throughout the tournament until the final game, with the eventual winner keeping the cap for the season.
Corona Vs IPL
The commencement of the tournament has been postponed to 15 April due to global coronavirus pandemic. The tournament was earlier scheduled to commence on 29 March 2020 and the decision regarding the postponement was reached with consent of owners of all 8 franchise teams. However it was further reported that the fate of the planned tournament to be decided after a committee meeting as of 14 March 2020. Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, Manish Sisodia also announce that the scheduled IPL matches involving Delhi Capitals will not be held in Delhi amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Struggling situation
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Thursday decided to “suspend” the Indian Premier League (IPL) by a fortnight till April 15 on account of the spread of coronavirus in the country. After April 15, according to sources in the cricket body, it will take a call on the matter. Sources said the reversal of position by the cricket body, whose president, Sourav Ganguly, said a few days ago the tournament would be held on schedule, was just to bide time because more than Rs 8,000 crore was at stake this year. Cancelling the tournament would have had a serious impact on stakeholders, they added. Stakeholders include, apart from the BCCI, the advertisers, eight franchisees, US media giant Disney, which has the broadcasting and digital rights for the IPL matches, and more than 200 players. The bulk of the BCCI’s revenues comes from this tournament. The tournament was expected to start on March 29. But according to sources, with limited wiggle room for the BCCI to extend the tournament due to a tight global cricket schedule, IPL matches will have to become double-headers instead of one match played every day (expect during weekends).
Impact
However, this could impact viewership because some of the matches will have to be played in the afternoon, not to peak time. Last year around 500 million viewers watched the show. Sources also said the matches would have to be held without spectators. Already the remaining two one-day matches between India and South Africa, which are in India on tour, have been cancelled. It is expected that foreign players, many of whom are reluctant to come to India, could find it difficult to get the visa after the government decided to keep out people from abroad till April 15. In a media advisory after the meeting of the BCCI with the top management of the IPL in Mumbai on Thursday, the cricket body said: “The BCCI has decided to suspend IPL 2020 till 15th April 2020 as a precautionary measure.”
Conclusion
The eight franchisees together could, however, lose ticket income of Rs 80-100 crore. And they could also see some sponsor advertisers walking out in the absence of the opportunity of brand building associated with fans coming to the stadium. Also revenues from licensing and merchandising could be affected. For some franchisees like KKR they could be as much as their 40 per cent share of the central revenues of the BCCI.
