This year’s Indian Premier League (IPL) was officially postponed until further notice because of the COVID-19 pandemic on Thursday but the Indian cricket board believes it can find a “safe” window later for the lucrative Twenty20 tournament.
The eight-team league, originally scheduled from March 29, was initially suspended until Wednesday even as India entered a three-week lockdown last month.
With the lockdown being extended until May 3 and travel and other restrictions in place, a second postponement was inevitable.
“With health concerns and lockdown measures in mind, the IPL Governing Council decided to suspend the 2020 season until further notice,” Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah said in a statement.
“The health and safety of the nation and everyone involved in our great sport remains our top priority,” Shah said.
“BCCI will continue to monitor and review the situation regarding a potential start date in close partnership with all of its stakeholders,” Shah added.
Indian media speculated on a possible window for the IPL in September-October, before this year’s Twenty20 World Cup in Australia.
The uncertainty is a big setback, particularly for the 62 cricketers bought for a collective $18.34 million at the players’ auction in December.