The rapid spread of Novel Coronavirus 2019 has become a matter of concern in various countries all over the world! The state of Maharashtra has also been affected by the Coronavirus. There have been 7 positive cases reported in Maharashtra whereby 2 has been tested positive for coronavirus in Mumbai and 5 has been tested positive in Pune respectively. To avoid further spread of the deadly virus in the state, the Ticket sales in Maharashtra for the 2020 Indian Premier League opener between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings have been banned by the Shiv Sena-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government, according to a report on CNBC-TV 18.
The measure has reportedly been taken to avoid the gathering of a large number of people amid the spread of coronavirus in the country. The opener match between MI & CSK is scheduled to be held on March 29 in Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium and will be the first of the 13th season of the IPL which will continue till May 24 across various venues around the country.
Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope had earlier said that the government may consider postponing the IPL because of the threat posed by the virus that has claimed over 3000 lives around the world.
“There is always a possible danger of spread (of contagious diseases) when large numbers of people gather in one place… Such (IPL) events can always be organized later,” Tope told media persons on Saturday. Further, he said that discussions are currently on in official circles whether to postpone the IPL and a decision would be announced shortly.
While talking about the postponing of IPL dates, the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s President Sourav Ganguly had asserted that there would be no change in the IPL schedule. “We will take all precautions. I don’t know exactly what these are, it’s only the medical team which will tell us about that. The medical team is already in touch with the hospitals so that everything is available,” Ganguly had said, adding that the organizers would abide by the advice of the doctors.
The government’s decision of postponing IPL league is an advisable measure to prevent further spread of deadly COVD-19 in different parts of Maharashtra state, which should be respected and considered by other officials of the Board of Control for Cricket in India!
