Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is keen to host the currently-suspended IPL but the influential voices within the BCCI feel that there is no point in discussing such a proposal in a “closed world” battling the COVID-19 pandemic right now.
IPL, scheduled from March 29-May 24, has been postponed indefinitely by the BCCI in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Board will only conduct the tournament when normalcy returns. SLC president Shammi Silva on Thursday said that Sri lanka is ready to host the mega event as the country, which has fewer positive cases, is expected to return to normalcy earlier compared to India.
“The BCCI will not be in a position to say anything when the world is closed,” a senior Board official told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
The death toll in India has crossed the 400-mark. The official confirmed that currently, there is no proposal from the SLC and there is no guarantee when a meaningful discussion can take place on the subject even if it comes along.
Currently, international flights have been mostly suspended after several countries imposed lockdowns to contain the deadly virus.
“There is no proposal from SLC yet and obviously no discussion,” the official said when asked what will be the BCCI’s stand when the offer is on table.
The SLC can have the matches on three grounds — Galle, Kandy and Premadasa Stadium — with logistics reduced to less than half as there are no inland flights.
“Sri Lanka ready to host IPL 2020” : SLC informs Indian Cricket Board