Amid the looming threat of increasing Covid-19 cases across the country, and especially in Mumbai where a considerable number of matches have been scheduled to be played, the BCCI President Sourav Ganguly has ruled out any change in the schedule of the cash-rich league.
"There will be no change (in the schedule)," Sportstar quoted Ganguly as saying.
The 14th edition of the IPL is scheduled to start on April 9 in Chennai between the defending champions Mumbai Indians and the Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Notably, four IPL franchises such as the Delhi Capitals, Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings and Chennai Super Kings are there in Mumbai training for the IPL edition. They are practising their drills at the Brabourne Stadium, Bandra Kurla Complex and at the DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai.
Franchises have shown faith that the tournament will go as planned as any changes in schedule just days ahead of the tournament will lead to logistical issues.
"We have not been informed anything about the change in venue. As franchises, we are taking all the measures and are following all the protocols. Hope the Mumbai leg goes ahead as per schedule. Last moment changes would lead to logistical issues," Sportstar quoted a franchise official as saying.
There have been questions around the BCCI’s decision to host matches at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai— a city that has emerged as the worst hotspot for India in the second wave of novel coronavirus infection.