The Indian Premier League for 2020 has been postponed indefinitely the BCCI confirmed on Thursday amid the outbreak of COVID-19, which prevented the cash-rich league from starting at the end of March.
The BCCI informed all the franchises of the postponement on Wednesday, saying that with the lockdown in India extended to May 3 the board does not have any window to host the league.
"The health and safety of the nation and everyone involved in our great sport remains our top priority and as such, the BCCI along with the Franchise Owners, Broadcaster, Sponsors and all the Stakeholders acknowledge that the IPL 2020 season will only commence when it is safe and appropriate to do so," said a statement by BCCI Secretary Jay Shah.
The IPL was originally scheduled to take place from March 29 till May 24. Its start was deferred to mid-April when the Indian government had announced the initial 21-day lockdown.
The BCCI had been hopeful of being able to conduct a one-month long tournament with the final in the first week of June. They had even considered the possibility of holding the matches behind closed doors, with no stadium audience.
However, the extension of the nationwide lockdown to May 3 has meant that the BCCI is unable to find a slot to hold the event.
