IPL 2020: No foreign players available till 15th April due to coronavirus threat

No overseas player will be at disposal for this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL) till 15th April because of visa restrictions inforced by the government to keep the coronavirus threat in check. A top BCCI source told PTI, casting fresh uncertainties on the fate of the event.

“The foreign players who play in the IPL come under the Business Visa category. As per the government’s directive, they can’t come till April 15,” a BCCI source told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

The government issued fresh advisory with a ban on all existing foreign visas, except a few categories like diplomatic and employment, till 15th April as a consequence of new positive cases of Covid-19 in the country.

India has reported 60 positive cases in the epidemic which has caused over 4,000 deaths worldwide.

The future of the IPL will be decided on 14th March at the event’s Governing Council meeting in Mumbai.

“All decisions will be taken by the GC in Mumbai,” the source said.

Having the IPL, played in empty stadiums is an option being explored.

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