The novel coronavirus has left the whole world at a stand-still. While the worldwide economy has taken a huge hit, the sporting calendar has been left shattered also. Almost every sporting event has been canceled or postponed with all eyes on the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020. Which was earlier suspended until April 15. However, with the situation surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic continuing to deteriorate with each passing day, the chances are extremely slim that the cash-rich tournament will go ahead after April 15.

IPL 2020 Schedules

As per a report, IPL 2020 might even not happen this year. Considering the current scenario due to the novel coronavirus. If the cash-rich tournament doesn’t take place in 2020. Then the BCCI will take a massive hit on an approximate revenue of INR 2000 crore. Whereas the eight participating franchises could lose around IJNR 100 crore each.

Whereas there’s a way of unclarity and confusion within the BCCI as nobody knows when the travel and visa restrictions are going to be normalized.

BCCI official said

However, the most important hurdle for IPL is going to be to bring the overseas players on an equivalent ship. While the coronavirus outbreak has taken almost the whole world under its dreaded wings. Some big-name players could cop out of the tournament if it goes ahead in 2020.

“And albeit it settles down here but continues in another country… we aren’t clear that also. Japan, the host nation of the Olympics, is talking a few possible postponements. This (the outbreak) is way bigger than any sport or the IPL,” the BCCI official said.

COVID-19 Staus

The number of positive cases for COVID-19 has crossed the 450-mark in India. As many as 30 states/UTs are placed under complete lockdown during a bid to curb the spread of the deadly virus.

The effect of Covid-19 can be seen in every sector. Similarly, it’s affecting the schedules of Sports.

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Public interest in women’s cricket

The public interest in women’s cricket is now quite ever before. There are even private T20 leagues that continue to provide much-needed exposure to female cricketers. By playing with cricketers from different nations.

Take the on-going ICC Women’s T20 World Cup for instance. The tournament has not only enthralled the spectators inside the Australian stadiums. But reaching out to cricket fans across the globe. The matches have been widely followed and social media continues to be abuzz with the exploits of the participating nations.

After playing 20 group-stage matches and two semi-finals, the Women’s T20 World Cup has found its finalists in India and Australia. It has been quite a journey for both the cricketing giants. While the Indian team has enjoyed the four-match unbeaten run to reach the summit clash. While the Australian side, following their defeat in the tournament opener, made a phenomenal comeback to win three group matches.

Semi-finals

In the semi-finals, Team India did enjoy some luck as their highest points in the group stage saw them securing a berth in their maiden T20 World Cup final following the wash-out against England.

For Australia, a five-run win (D/L) in the rain-hit 2nd semi-final against South Africa saw them bagging their spot for the all-important clash on 8th March.

But, Sunday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), won’t be a standard day or a standard match. While both India and Australia will try to outsmart each other to get their hands on the elusive World Cup trophy. The ‘massive final’ isn’t going to be just about them.

In 2017, The ICC Women’s World Cup that year had been a massive success. Wherein the tournaments final was a sold-out clash at Lord’s alongside record television audiences. While women’s cricket had been quietly going about its business. It was probably for the time that the world saw its true potential.

New benchmarks

The on-going tournament has set new benchmarks, including the very best attendance at a standalone women’s match in Australia. When 13,432 spectators attended the opening clash between Australia and India at Sydney Showground Stadium on 21st February.

Sunday’s final is competing against the FIFA Women’s World Cup summit clash in 1999. The final between the USA and China saw 90,185 individuals attending the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. A record for attendance at a women’s sporting fixture that has stood tall for over two decades now.

On 6th March, the ICC confirmed that quite 75,000 tickets had already been snapped up for Sunday’s final.

It remains to be seen whether MCG gets filled or not this Sunday. And, for India and Australia, being crowned World T20 champions. And holding the coveted trophy will surely dominate their thoughts.

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