Support from IPL owners commendable
Finally, the Lord bowled a ‘Chinaman’. The outbreak of the Covid-19 disease that originated in China looks like an unplayable delivery, one that has turned the wrong way, baffling the world. Like daily life, businesses and more, sport (including cricket) across the globe too has been affected badly.
The last time, the game of cricket had a major disruption in its international calendar was during the second world war. England, the mother country of the noble game did not play a Test match (which was then the only format), after their clash against the West Indies, for almost seven years till they faced up to India at Lords. From August 1938 till June 1946 there was a complete international blackout for English cricketers, the first true professionals of the game.
All test playing nations of those days took a hiatus for a similar period and came back, post 1946 to take the game to another level. Coming back to the present, the game is once again under threat. The war today is not being fought not in the battle fields but in quarantine wards of hospitals across the globe, no-thanks to the virus. Top tournaments like the NASCAR, Boston and
London Marathons, NBA, EPL and many more have either been postponed or suspended.
Cricket too is seeing its fixtures, viz., the India vs South Africa One Day International series, the England/Sri Lanka one, the West Indies domestic season and more. For Indian cricket fans and the Board of Control for Cricket (BCCI) in India, the biggest question was the holding of the Indian Premier League (IPL) that was scheduled for a March 29 start.
Wisely, the BCCI has now deferred their main money maker to April 15 and has adopted a wait and watch stance. The decision will depend on the spread (or lack of it) of the COVID-19 virus in the country. BCCI has also deferred the Irani Trophy and is in a tizzy with the replanning of the IPL whose brand value in 2019 was `475 billion (US$ 6.7 billion) according to Duff & Phelps, a global advisor on valuations.
The 2020 edition, which happens to be the 13th edition of the tournament is probably valued at much more and there is a lot, from the BCCI’s and the team owners perspective, at stake from a commercial point of view.
BCCI took the right step in having a meeting with all team owners in Mumbai where they discussed, threadbare, the possibility (or lack of it) of hosting the IPL post April 15. It was heartening to read the reactions of the lot who have put public safety above profit and have put in their might for a noble, common cause — to stop the deadly virus from spreading.
Kolkata Knight Riders owner and matinee idol Shah Rukh Khan was first off the block, tweeting: “The meeting by BCCI and IPL was to reiterate what all of us feel...safety first of the spectators, players management & cities we play in. All directives of the health agencies & govt to be followed.” His sentiment was also endorsed by other franchisees like Delhi Capitals and Kings XI Punjab.
There are many theories that are being floated as far as IPL 2020 in the current scenario is concerned. Have a shorter version, is one of them. Play at few selected venues is the other one. Like BCCI did on the last day of the Ranji Trophy final at Rajkot, the IPL can be held in an empty stadium is another brainwave. At this point in time, none of these matter as it just takes one infected person to spread the virus.
BCCI President, Sourav Ganguly has stated that they will be monitoring the situation on a weekly basis and will comply with the directives of governmental agencies. It also needs to be noted that there will be a lot of foreigners who will be part of the tournament including players and broadcast and logistics professionals. There has already been one case where Aussie batsman, David Warner’s, visa application was rejected by the Indian consulate in Australia following the Indian governments directives.
The BCCI is on the right track and the support they have received from the team owners is commendable. Tackling the ‘chinaman’ in tough conditions is always going to be challenging. The BCCI has put its front foot forward and is holding on, hoping for the pitch to ease out. Meanwhile, a short break from the game will give the cricketers a much deserved break and refresh the palate of the fan who is constantly inundated with some form of the game at all times.