IPL 2020: Here’s why the BCCI hasn’t released the schedule yet
Almost three weeks after confirming the dates for IPL 2020, the Board of Control for Cricket in India is yet to release the full schedule of matches. The delayed announcement has become a raging point of discussion among cricket fans on social media.
Several reports have emerged that the full IPL schedule is expected to come out this week. But according to a TOI report, there’s a specific reason that the BCCI isn’t releasing the list of fixtures. The board reportedly wants to keep the fixtures ‘flexible’ and ‘dynamic’ – given the unprecedented times of Covid-19 that we’re currently living in.
Why is that so?
There still isn’t enough clarity from the BCCI on the availability of players from England and Australia. Both teams are scheduled to play a bio-secure limited-overs series in England ahead of the IPL. In such a scenario, what will their quarantine procedures be once they reach UAE? As per routine norms, each player will have to return three negative Covid-19 tests and spend seven days in self-isolation before participating in the tournament. Furthermore, their absence in the initial few days of the competition will also hurt their teams, which is why their matches could be scheduled for later.
“So there is a possibility that matches in those first three or four days can be allotted to teams not majorly dependent on players flying over from the UK,” sources told TOI.
“If that happens, can that team play on those six days? Possibly not. But the tournament will go on, so it’s necessary to work on the possibility of keeping a schedule flexible enough where matches can be brought forward and delayed, as and when necessary,” they added.
While the majority of the players participating in the IPL are Indian, many other foreign cricketers have also been travelling to the UAE from different countries. An important point to consider here is that if any player develops symptoms of coronavirus, they will have to self-isolate for at least 7 to 14 days. This, in turn, means that franchisees could lose out on their services during that time. This could be one of the reasons behind the board keeping the schedule flexible.
As has been the case every year, the opening match of the IPL features the finalists from the previous season. Although unconfirmed, this edition’s opener could see defending champions Mumbai Indians take on last season’s finalists Chennai Super Kings. IPL 2020 kicks off on September 19.
It looks like cricket fans will have to wait a little longer!
