Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President Sourav Ganguly has said that the full schedule for the upcoming thirteenth edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) should be released on Friday (September 4). The 53-day cash-rich IPL 2020 is scheduled to take place in the United Arab Emirates from September 19 to November 10.
Ganguly in a statement on Thursday said that the wait for the IPL 2020 schedule is about to end as it's "on the verge of getting final". Speaking to ABP News, Ganguly said, "We understand schedules are delayed. It is almost on the verge of getting final and should be released by Friday,".
The opening game was initially speculated to be held between IPL 2019 Champions Mumbai Indians and runners up Chennai Super Kings. However, there has been talk that the schedule could see some changes after 13 members of the CSK contingent, including two players, tested coronavirus positive. Despite the talk about CSK not making it for the IPL 2020 opening match due to the team's COVID-19 crisis, franchise CEO KS Viswanathan has said the team will be ready to open the tournament, if required.
It is to be noted that CSK squad has been under quarantine ever since they arrived in the UAE and are expected to begin their training from September 5. In the event of CSK not featuring in the opener, the slot would either be filled by the runners-up of the 2018 edition, Sunrisers Hyderabad, or Virat Kohli's Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Speaking to news agency IANS, BCCI Treasurer Arun Dhamal said, "The IPL will take place as scheduled; there is no doubt about that. Don't worry, players are following the COVID-19 protocols and matches will be played without spectators. So, I don't think there will be any problem with that." He added, "IPL Chairman Brijesh Patel is also there in the UAE and he is working on it. The ECB (Emirates Cricket Board) is helping us in all the way possible. Just hope for the best,".
Meanwhile, a member of the BCCI's IPL medical commission in the UAE for the tournament tested positive for coronavirus on Thursday, taking the total number of confirmed cases to 14. The previous 13 cases were from the CSK camp, which included seamer Deepak Chahar and right-hand batsman Ruturaj Gaekwad. The member of the IPL medical commission has been found to be asymptomatic and has been put in quarantine.
