One COVID-19 Case Could Kill IPL, Warns KXIP Co-Owner Ness Wadia

New Delhi: Even as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has started hunting for a new title sponsor of IPL following the pullout of Vivo from the 2020 edition, Kings XI Punjab co-owner Ness Wadia has warned all stakeholders should ensure that not a single COVID-19 case is reported during the event or else the tournament could killed.

“There is much speculation going on (about title sponsor)… I think it is ridiculous. The only thing we (team owners) know is that the IPL is happening. We are very concerned about the safety of the players and all others involved. If there is even one positive case, the IPL could be doomed,” Wadia was quoted as saying by PTI after a meeting of the team owners.

“I don’t know what the BCCI has decided on title sponsorship. All the team owners had a productive meeting and are on the same page to make IPL a success. We need to support the BCCI and will be meeting again soon,” he said.

The BCCI has prepared an exhaustive 16-page standard operating procedure (SOP) for the eight teams and others involved with the popular T20 league which will be held in the UAE from September 19.

The SOP requires players, support staff, team officials and owners to be part of a bio-secure environment.

“We have to adjust and acclimatise to the (bio-secure) environment. One case could kill the IPL. Extraneous circumstances require ordinary people to do extraordinary things,” Wadia remarked.