The surge in COVID-19 cases and deaths has made it nearly impossible for international sporting events to proceed. Even though Pakistan offered to host matches to raise money for pandemic relief and Australia suggested playing without crowds to recover lost revenue, the BCCI president decided to reject these options due to the ongoing emergency.
The coronavirus hasn’t paved an easy way to the international sports events, with the increase in the death and the cases turning positive for the COVID-19 disease. With the offers turning in from Pakistan to play and raise funds for the disease and Australia to conduct closed-door matches as per the schedule and to gather from the loss, the Indian cricket board, the President of BCCI, had turned down the offers due to the crisis.
Following the suspension of the IPL, which was meant to start on March 29, 2020, the BCCI is now working to schedule Season 13 before the T20 World Cup begins. Sourav Ganguly clarified that player and public health come first, and international cricket will stay paused until the outbreak is managed. He pointed out that India cannot be compared to Germany, where football resumed under different circumstances, concluding that cricket is not returning to India quickly.
At the same time, the plans for the October T20 World Cup in Australia are currently up in the air, as the Australian government has shut its borders to international travelers until September 30, 2020. ICC CEO Sawhney mentioned that the organization is gathering expert guidance and suggestions to make an informed decision regarding all upcoming events, ensuring that the needs of the players and member boards are met.