Mumbai: The Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 tournament has been postponed due to coronavirus threat, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced on Friday (March 13).

The 13th edition of IPL was to start in Mumbai on March 29. However, it has been deferred till April 15, BCCI secretary Jay Shah said in a media advisory.

Shah said, “The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to suspend IPL 2020 till 15th April 2020, as a precautionary measure against the ongoing Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19) situation.

“The BCCI is concerned and sensitive about all its stakeholders, and public health in general, and it is taking all necessary steps to ensure that, all people related to IPL including fans have a safe cricketing experience. 

“The BCCI will work closely with the Government of India along with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and all other relevant Central and State Government departments in this regard.”

Due to the threat of coronavirus, many sports events have been either cancelled or postponed across the world. IPL 2020 is the latest casualty. Earlier today, Delhi government said it won’t allow any sports events including IPL in Delhi due to coronavirus.