The postponement of cricket’s richest league because of surging coronavirus cases has raised questions about India’s ability to host the Twenty20 World Cup later this year. This week players and team staff started returning after coming positive tests for the coronavirus.
As COVID-19 cases increased closer toward 400,000 a day across India, the IPL was postponed indefinitely on Tuesday, leaving the BCCI and the International Cricket Council in worry how or if India can host the 16-team T20 World Cup in October and November.
To cut down on travel, the teams were move into two cities in phases. On Monday, two players from Kolkata Knight Riders tested positive at Ahmedabad.
On Tuesday, it was disclosed that Chennai Super Kings’ bowling coach Lakshmipathy Balaji and Sunrisers Hyderabad wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha also tested positive and was isolated.
BCCI suugested that if things don’t improve enough for India to stage the touranment, UAE is the alternative venue for the T20 World Cup.
BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla told the IPL’s official broadcasters that IPL has not been cancelled, it has been suspended.
India successfully hosted matches against England during the pandemic in Chennai and Ahmedabad and has also shortlisted eight cities to host the T20 World Cup. But coordinating a World Cup featuring 16 teams will be a harder assignment again.
