Why Time Is Simply Not Right For Staging VIVO IPL 2020

Picture : Courtesy : IPL

BCCI president Sourav Ganguly has indicated that all options are been explored to stage the VIVO IPL 2020 this year. Yes, there no doubt that the Indian Premier league is the most popular T20 league in the Cricketing arena but given that the country is now battling hard the spreading Coronavirus pandemic, one feels time is not right to play the IPL this year.

Just think of it If Tokyo Olympics 2020 could be pushed to next year , Wimbledon 2020 cancelled due to COVID-19,then IPL too should wait for next year to return with a bang.

By insisting that IPL should happen no matter what do the BCCI mandarins want us to believe the IPL is a bigger brand than Wimbledon and Olympics and hence must be played at all costs?. This logic is total nonsense. God’s sake heavens will not fall If IPL is not played this year.

BCCI treasurer Arun Dhumal in an interview to Indian Express explained what no IPL Meant for the BCCI saying, If IPL doesn’t happen, then it will be difficult to sustain cricketing activities. That is the biggest revenue head for BCCI. It’s because of IPL and cricket that we are able to hold 2000 domestic matches every year. It directly impacts lives of every cricketer from domestic to juniors, to officials.

The very idea of playing in empty stadiums as proposed will kill the charm of the IPL. The tournament has over the years become big with the huge crowd support from all ages and without them it will be no fun at all . The sight of fans cheering wildly at maximum sixes and the signature IPL tune and the mexican wave all over will be missed.

Yes there is no doubt the the anxiety among the franchises, players, sponsors, broadcasters about the losses if IPL does not happen. By being defiant and insisting that IPL should be played BCCI might end up playing with lives of people .

It is time the government steps in . Union Minister of state for Youth Affairs And Sports Kiren Rijiju had earlier stated that it is the government not the BCCI will decide whether IPL will be played this year or not and would based on how well we have contained the coronavirus pandemic. This is telling statement . But with the
BCCI indicating IPL 2020 plans , does it mean the BCCI and the government are not on the same page as far as IPL 2020 is concerned ?

Risking health of people just to save the stakeholders from losing money and going ahead of hosting sporting events is a risky gamble not worth taking. BCCI is the richest cricket body and cannot be allowed to take people for a ride. India on priority wants normalcy to return first, sporting events can wait. Just like Black lives matter, health of people do matter. There can be no compromise. No point putting all these at risk for just a few dollars more.