Mumbai: The 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2020) Twenty20 tournament has been suspended till “further notice”, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed on Thursday (April 16).

India is currently under a lockdown till May 3 to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). All cricket matches and other sports activities have been suspended in the country and across the globe due to the rapid rising of coronavirus cases.

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IPL 2020, which was originally scheduled to start on March 29, was deferred till April 15. Now, the BCCI has announced that it has suspended the cash-rich league and will be played when “it is safe”.

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“Due to the evolving global health concerns regarding COVID-19 and lockdown measures implemented by the Government of India to contain the spread of the pandemic, the IPL Governing Council of the BCCI has decided that the IPL 2020 Season will be suspended till further notice,” BCCI said in a media advisory on Thursday.

It added, “The health and safety of the nation and everyone involved in our great sport remains our top priority and as such, the BCCI along with the Franchise Owners, Broadcaster, Sponsors and all the Stakeholders acknowledge that the IPL 2020 season will only commence when it is safe and appropriate to do so.

“BCCI will continue to monitor and review the situation regarding a potential start date in close partnership with all of its stakeholders and will continue to take guidance from the Government of India, State Governments and other State Regulatory bodies.”