IPL should kick off cricket calendar: Laxman

The world’s richest domestic cricket tournament is set to be postponed indefinitely amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The IPL will set the tone for a hectic season, says former Test batsman VVS Laxman (right) Picture: AFP

Cricket: India’s cricket board remains optimistic about playing the lucrative IPL later this year, a team official told AFP on Wednesday, as an extended national lockdown left the competition in limbo.

In line with other sports events worldwide, the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League, the world’s richest Twenty20 tournament, had already been pushed back from its original start date of March 29.

Officially it was postponed until Wednesday but with India and much of the world in lockdown, preventing players from travelling and fans attending matches, the tournament remains on hold.

After India on Tuesday extended the lockdown until May 3, the Board of Control for Cricket in India told the eight franchises that the tournament has been deferred indefinitely.

“Yes, they have informed us that the IPL stands suspended for the moment,” a team official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

“However, it is said that they will find a window in the latter end of the year to do it.”

Cricketer-turned-commentator VVS Laxman said the IPL should kick off the cricket calendar that includes the Twenty20 World Cup in Australia in Oct­ober and November.

“I think some of the cricket boards will be encouraging the fact that IPL is a big tournament, and everyone acknowledges that,” Laxman, who is a mentor for IPL team Sunrisers Hyderabad, told Indian broadcaster Star Sports. “And just before the World Cup, it will set the tone for a hectic season. But I just hope that everything is normal, and no one is in danger. And once that happens, I am sure the IPL should kick off the cricket calendar.”

There was no announcement on the IPL’s future from the Indian board.

The league is a huge revenue-earner for the BCCI and is estimated to generate more than $11bn a year for India’s economy. Leading foreign players have been pushing for the IPL to take place, with Australia’s Steve Smith saying he hopes the league will be held “at some stage”.

Australia’s Pat Cummins is the most expensive overseas star this year, with Kolkata Knight Riders paying $2.17m in the December auction for his services.

AFP