The Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises are subconsciously ready for a call-off league this year due to coronavirus outbreak. However, they are trying hard to make it play. While speaking to IANS, an official said that the owners although they have a conference call, things are getting dangerous now. The BCCI has earlier decided to push back the start date and decided to begin from April 15 instead of March 29.

"We are having a conference call today in the evening and we will discuss the situation, but just look around. Schools, colleges, malls, theatres have all been closed. In fact, even gyms have closed now after the fresh directive from the health department. So, in such a scenario, it is only obvious that we might get to a situation where the league may have to be called off for a season," the official said.

On the other hand, another official said that safety is the first priority now and everyone stands united on this. If the situation continues like this, they might have to call-off the league this year.

While both the BCCI and the IPL franchises have already spoken about the foreign players’ inclusion in the league, the question arises whether the other cricket boards will allow their players to participate or not. On March 11, the government had cancelled all visas, except for a few official categories, till April 15 in the situation of the growing coronavirus threat.

In the meeting which took place at Nirman Bhavan in the national capital, it was decided that all existing visas, except diplomatic, official, UN/international organisations, employment and project visas, will be suspended till April 15. Even the Sports Ministry also maintained this by making it clear that all the sporting events will be cancelled in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. And, if in case it is unavoidable, the events will take place behind closed doors to avoid people’s gathering.

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