IPL 2020: T20 league may be played behind 'closed doors' amid coronavirus pandemic

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is exploring the possibility of holding the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 behind closed doors as a consequence of the coronavirus outbreak, a board official told NDTV. "We are discussing the possibility of playing IPL behind closed doors," the official said. "Compensation for teams to be discussed on Saturday," the official added.

The government on Thursday issued fresh advisory with a ban on all existing foreign visas, till 15th April in the wake of fresh positive cases of coronavirus in the country.

The sports minister has asked all national federation, including the BCCI, to abide by Health Minister’s advisory and avoid large gatherings in sporting events, news agency PTI reported.

"We have asked all the NSFs (National Sports Federations), including the BCCI, to follow the Health Ministry''s latest advisory, which says public gatherings should be avoided in all events, including sporting activities," PTI quoted Sports Secretary Radhey Shyam Julaniya as saying.

The IPL governing body will convene a meeting on 14th March to decide of the fate of the T20 league.

Talking on the issue, the official told NDTV "IPL is unique because players come and leave, teams still have enough in their reserve to put 11 men out in the park."

As maintained by PTI report, foreign players will not be allowed to take part in the tournament till 15th April, because of the suspension of visas to India.

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