IPL Schedule will see no change, says Sourav Ganguly, BCCI president

IPL Schedule will stay unaffected despite weekend lockdown…learn more…

Monday, 5th April 2021

April 4, 2021

The BCCI President Sourav Ganguly on this Sunday has confirmed that all the events related to upcoming IPL 2021 will be continuing as per the set schedule. The confirmation of Sourav Ganguly has arrived just a couple of hours post the announcement of weekend lockdown by the government of Maharashtra to restrict the spread of the coronavirus. "Everything will go on as per schedule," stated Ganguly.

The weekend lockdown in the state of Maharashtra will start from 8 pm on Friday and will continue until 7 am on Monday, declared Nawab Malik, state Cabinet Minister. Malik has however added that the transportation facilities such as taxis, buses and trains and essential services will be made available. The decision, he informed, was taken during a Cabinet meet today after taking into consideration the surging coronavirus cases in the state.

"A cabinet meeting took place today and some important decisions were taken related to COVID-19. Strict rules have been made and they will be enforced from 8 pm tomorrow. The night curfew will be in force from 8 pm to 7 am. During day time, section 144 will be in force from tomorrow prohibiting more than five people to gather at one place. A decision has been taken to shut down malls, restaurants, bars. Take away services will continue. Essential services will be allowed. Government offices will open with 50 per cent capacity. Industries will continue. There is no restriction on construction work, markets," he stated.

"A decision has also been taken to impose strict lockdown from 8 pm on Friday to 7 am on Monday in Maharashtra. The decision has been taken after consultations," he further added.

Wankhede Stadium of Mumbai is likely to host the 10 IPL matches this season starting from April 10th to the25th of April. The first of the IPL matches is scheduled to be held on April 10th at the Mumbai Stadium and the two teams to contest at the match are Chennai Super Kings & Delhi Capitals.

Four franchises – Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings have established their base in the city of Mumbai currently. Also, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), the 5th franchise is based in the city of Mumbai at present but would soon shift to Chennai for playing their first IPL match against the SunRisers Hyderabad on the 11th of April.

Rajeev Shukla, the Vice President of BCCI informed that the board is planning to get the players vaccinated prior to the IPL and will soon contact the Union Health Ministry for the same.

"In order to cope with this coronavirus rise, I think the only solution is to get vaccinated. BCCI is also thinking on those lines that players should be vaccinated. Nobody knows when coronavirus is going to end and you can't give a deadline that by this time frame, it will not be there so players can play easily. So, I think now will have to think over that. Vaccination should be done for the players also," Shukla told to ANI.

When asked by the news agency if the board has already written to Health Ministry with regard to the vaccination of the players, Shukla informed that the board is contemplating on the idea and will soon write to the ministry for the vaccination of the players.

The News Talkie Bureau

Source:

Times of India