NEW DELHI — Due to the evolving global health concerns regarding COVID-19 and the 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 Indian Premier League 2020 season will be suspended till further notice. The Board of Control for Cricket In India (BCCI) finally took a call to suspend the IPL 2020 season after initial postponements, hoping to salvage even a truncated IPL season. But in the current global and national scenario, the apex cricketing body in India has decided to commence the tournament only when it feels safe to conduct it, putting the health and safety of the cricketers as a priority. “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 said in its statement. The statement added, “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.” The 2020 tournament was set to start on March 29 with defending champions Mumbai Indians taking on Chennai Super Kings at the Wankhede Stadium. But following the 21-day nationwide lockdown announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi the tournament was postponed till April 15. There is every possibility that the premier short version of cricket in India this season could be canceled, and in such an event there are possible financial implications with the whole IPL unit likely to suffer, starting with the BCCI, each of the eight franchises, broadcasters, players, support staff, freelance technicians and writers. According to an Indian Express report, the Indian board is believed to be waiting for an announcement from the Indian government and sports ministry on visas before it makes the news official. The Indian Express also wrote that if IPL happens next year then there would be no mega auction. Instead, the status quo will be continued and IPL franchises will be allowed to pick players if they want too. — Agencies