IPL cannot happen without foreign players, asserts Ness Wadia
Kings XI Punjab co-owner Ness Wadia is of the opinion that the Indian Premier League cannot take place without the presence of foreign stars that play in the league. The thirteenth edition of the IPL, which was originally scheduled to start on March 29, has been indefinitely postponed by the BCCI.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been so huge and widespread that the world’s biggest T20 league, the IPL, was suspended by the BCCI until further notice. As questions were posed on the carrying out of the T20 World Cup this year, it is possible that the October-November window could be opened up for the BCCI to host the thirteenth edition of the marquee T20 league. However, the world is still combatting the virus and Kings XI Punjab co-owner stated that stopping the spread of the virus is the primary goal of the world for the time being, post which the IPL could be held. He added that with a global pandemic going on, it is premature to talk about IPL.
"The most important thing for all of us is to deal with the current situation. It could last another month or two, may be more. Once the virus diminishes, then we can have more clarity on when the IPL can be held and where it can be held. I am surely the Indian audience will be happy to see the IPL after what we have been through. Football in Germany has already started and EPL is starting soon, but they (European nations) have already peaked (in terms of COVID-19 cases), while we have not. I see the possibility of IPL happening but it is all about combating the virus for the next two months at least," Wadia said, as quoted by TOI.
Meanwhile, the Rajasthan Royals franchise had proposed the idea of an IPL of only Indian players, considering the travel restrictions in place now. However, three-time champions Chennai Super Kings have already rejected Royals' idea and now the Kings XI Punjab co-owner, too, has echoed the same sentiment.
"IPL is an international tournament made by Indians. It is the premier cricketing event in the world; therefore, it needs an international platform and international stars. But it remains to be seen which of the foreign players are allowed to travel at that time (considering the restrictions). I feel there are too many variables for the BCCI at the moment to even have a calculated guess on when it might happen. "What if tomorrow the (COVID-19) cases keep rising? What happens then? It would be unwise to think of anything other than COVID-19 for the moment," added Wadia.
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