The BCCI on Friday announced that the start of the Indian Premier League has been postponed till April 15 on account of restrictions to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus. The IPL was scheduled to commence on March 29.
BCCI secretary Jay Shah issued a statement saying the IPL was being postponed as a precautionary measure. The statement noted the BCCI is “concerned and sensitive about all its stakeholders and public health in general".
According to reports, the new schedule will have the same number of matches, with the number of days with two matches being increased. The franchises have agreed to the new format.
Earlier on Friday, it was announced the IPL would go on as per schedule without spectators as several states have announced bans on public gatherings. The Delhi government on Friday announced it was banning IPL matches.
On Thursday, THE WEEK reported that the franchises preferred holding the IPL in empty stadiums or even cancelling the IPL this year.
