Coronavirus: BCCI Postpones IPL Till April 15

TheIndian Premier League (IPL) which was scheduled to take place from March 29 hasbeen postponed to April 15 as a "precautionary measure" against the coronaviruspandemic, said the Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) in a statement.

TheBCCI statement comes at the back of the announcement made by the Delhigovernment that it will not allow any sporting event in the national capitaldue to the health crisis. The board in a statement said, "The BCCI has decidedto suspend IPL 2020 till April 15, 2020 as a precautionary measure against theongoing Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) situation."

Thestatement further reads, "The CCI is concerned and sensitive about all itsstakeholders, and public health in general, and it is taking all necessarysteps to ensure that, all people related to IPL including fans have a safecricketing experience."

Itfurther stated that the board will work closely with the Central Governmentalong with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Ministry of Health andFamily Welfare and all other relevant Central and State Government departmentsin this regard.

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia had said that gatherings of over 200 people at sporting events or conferences will not be allowed until further notice "for the purpose of prevention and control of the outbreak of the epidemic disease, COVID-19".

Delhiis home to the Delhi Capitals IPL franchise. India has more than 80 positivecoronavirus cases so far with two deaths.