ICC T20 World Cup can be moved to Feb to accommodate IPL: RCB coach Katich

The Board of Control for Cricket in India on Thursday suspended the IPL 2020 "till further notice" in the wake of the fast-spreading Covid-19 pandemic.

Former Australian batsman and current Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) coach Simon Katich believes that the ICC T20 World Cup can be postponed and the Indian Premier League (IPL 2020) can be fitted into the cricketing calendar that has gone for a toss due to the Covid-19 or coronavirus outbreak.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Thursday suspended the IPL 2020 "till further notice" in the wake of the fast-spreading Covid-19 pandemic.

"Potentially there's a chance to host it later in the summer, like the (recent) Women's T20 World Cup (which was held in February), and whether that's an opportunity to re-jig things. It'll be interesting to hear those discussions (which are) probably taking place at the moment and whether that's logistically possible with the FTP the way it is," Katich told Australian radio station Sen.

The IPL took place in South Africa in 2009 owing to the general elections in India at the same time and due to the same reason, a part of the tournament was held in the UAE in 2014.

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"But I'm sure that a T20 World Cup is a priority for all the organisers at the moment, to try and make sure that goes ahead at some point in the Australian summer given that we're hosting it."

Katich had replaced Gary Kirsten as the RCB head coach after the IPL last year. The Virat Kohli-led team is yet to win the league.

Commenting on the IPL and if it can be held in Australia as a precursor to the World T20, Katich said: "Whether it would be in Australia (or elsewhere), that's an interesting topic of conversation. There would be a few teams -- us in particular at RCB, we'd be very happy for it to be played abroad -- because a number of our overseas players are Australian and South African, who really would enjoy these conditions in Australia.

Suresh Raina urges fans not to spread misinformation about coronavirus

Earlier, India opener and Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma had posted a video on his social media handles.

Suresh Raina on Monday cautioned against spreading deception identified with coronavirus and to follow wellbeing warnings. The batsman is relied upon to be seen next in the deferred 2020 period of the Indian Premier League for the Chennai Super Kings.

"It's significant that we comprehend the need of social segregation to break the chain, don't spread data from inconsistent sources, don't overlook the wellbeing warnings and without a doubt follow the cleanliness measures.#coronavirus" he tweeted.

CSK were booked to confront Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on March 29 in the opening match of the IPL. In any case, the rising worry over the spread of the coronavirus pandemic has prompted the season being delayed to April 15. Leading group of Control for Cricket in India president Sourav Ganguly said that a choice on whether the matches will be held in void arenas or the new calendar can be chosen after the circumstance is evaluated after April 15.

Prior, India opener and Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma had posted a video on his web based life handles.

"Most recent couple of weeks have been extreme for us all and the world has ground to a halt which is dismal to see. The main way we can come to commonality is by us all meeting up. Also, we can do this by being somewhat shrewd, somewhat proactive, knowing our environment and as and when we get any indications illuminate your closest clinical specialists," said Rohit in the video.

The legislatures across different states in the nation have prescribed individuals to follow social separating separated from requesting terminations of schools, shopping centers, film lobbies in their offer to stay away from get-togethers.

"This is on the grounds that we as a whole need our children to go to the school, we need to go to the shopping centers and we as a whole need to watch films in the theaters," said the Indian opener.

Visa curbs over Covid-19 force foreign players to miss IPL till April 15

India has reported 60 positive cases in the outbreak which has led to over 4,000 deaths globally.

No foreign player will be available for this year's IPL till April 15 due to visa restrictions imposed by the government to contain the novel coronavirus threat, a top BCCI source told PTI on Thursday, casting fresh doubts on the fate of the event.

"The foreign players who play in the IPL come under the Business Visa category. As per the government's directive, they can't come till April 15," a BCCI source told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

The government issued fresh advisory with a ban on all existing foreign visas, except a few categories like diplomatic and employment, till April 15 in the wake of new positive cases of novel coronavirus in the country.

India has reported 60 positive cases in the outbreak which has led to over 4,000 deaths globally.

The fate of the IPL itself will be decided on March 14 at the event's Governing Council meeting in Mumbai.

"All decisions will be taken by the GC in Mumbai," the source said.

Having the IPL, starting March 29, played in empty stadiums is an option being explored.

IPL 2020 champions' prize money to be cut as Indian cricket hit by slowdown

In a circular sent to all IPL franchises, the BCCI has notified that instead of a whopping Rs 20 crore, the IPL champion team will now receive Rs 10 crore only.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to implement strict cost cutting measures with the notable decision being the halving of IPL 2020 champions' prize money.

In a circular sent to all IPL franchises, the BCCI has notified that instead of a whopping Rs 20 crore paid earlier, the IPL champion will now receive Rs 10 crore only.

"The financial rewards have been reworked as a part of the cost cutting measures. The champions will get Rs 10 crore instead of Rs 20 crore. The runners-up will get Rs 6.25 crore from earlier Rs 12.5 crore," according to news agency PTI.

"The franchises are all in good health. They also have multiple ways like sponsorships to bolster their income. Hence the decision on prize money taken," a senior BCCI source told PTI.

Other cost cutting measures implemented by BCCI

A state association hosting IPL games will get Rs 1 crore each with franchises and BCCI contributing Rs 50 lakh each.

It has also been learnt that mid-level BCCI employees won't be allowed to avail business class on flights for travel to Asian countries (Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, UAE) where the flying time is less than 8 hours.

IPL and franchises brand valuation

According to Duff and Phelps annual IPL Brand Valuation report 2019, the overall brand value of the Indian Premier League has increased by 7 per cent (after considering currency fluctuations) from 6.3 billion dollars in 2018 to 6.8 billion dollars in 2019.

Mumbai Indians continued to top the charts for the fourth time with an 8.5 per cent increase in brand value at Rs 809 crore.

Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore recorded an 8 per cent decrease in brand value to reach Rs 630 crore and Rs 595 crore, respectively.

Royal Challengers Bangalore unveils new logo ahead of 13th edition of IPL

A few days back RCB deleted its profile picture from its official twitter handle before removing all posts from its Instagram account too.

The Virat Kohli-led Indian Premier League side Royal Challengers Bangalore on Friday unveiled its new logo ahead of the upcoming season starting March 23.

The club said the new logo design, which features a lion, "embodies the bold and fearless attitude" of the side.

Speaking on the launch of the new visual identity, Sanjeev Churiwala, Chairman of Royal Challengers Bangalore, said, "The elements in the logo is a commitment to continuously entertain and engage with fans who are the force behind Royal Challengers Bangalore.

"We believe a change in identity for the club was necessary to effectively live and breathe this vision and celebrate the passion for cricket and playing bold," he added.

Royal Challengers Bangalore recently announced a three-year partnership with Muthoot Fincorp Ltd.

A few days back RCB deleted its profile picture from its official twitter handle before removing all posts from its Instagram account too.

The club's top players such as skipper Kohli, Yuzvendra Chahal and AB de Villiers had posted queries on the changes a few days back.

Sports News

IPL auction: Full list of KXIP players and their salaries for 2020 season

Glenn Maxwell was the costliest buy for KXIP, at Rs 10.75 crore, in IPL 2020 auction, while the second-costliest purchase for them this year was Sheldon Cottrell.

Sports News : Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) entered the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 auction with the deepest pockets among the eight IPL teams — an available purse Rs 42.7 crore. This allowed the Chandigarh-based franchise to bid heavily for their picks. 

Australian batsman Glenn Maxwell was the costliest buy for KXIP in the IPL 2020 auction, at Rs 10.75 crore, while their second-costliest purchase was West Indies fast bowler Sheldon Cottrell, renowned for his salute celebration, at Rs 8.50 crore.

Justifying the hefty pay cheque for Maxwell, Punjab’s head coach Anil Kumble said his team needed firepower in the middle order. "For us, the gaps that we had to fill were pretty evident. We had to fill the fast bowlers’ slots and also get power hitters, as we needed someone in the middle order who could really be a destructive player. That is why we chose Glenn Maxwell," Kumble said.

ALSO READ: IPL auction: Full RCB players' list and their salaries for 2020 season

The other big overseas players that came to the KXIP fold were the England cricket team all-rounder Chris Jordon (Rs 3 crore) and New Zealand’s all-rounder James Neesham, who was bought at his base price of Rs 50 lakh. After the auction, Kumble justified the franchise’s decision to spend more money on overseas players. "Of course all-rounders are a blessing if you can get them. And we were lucky to get Neesham, Cottrell and Jordan. Obviously, the choice for the money we had to spend was more on the four foreign players," said Kumle, a veteran Indian spin bowler himself.

Here is the full list of Kings XI Punjab’s IPL 2020 players and their salaries:

Squad strength: 25

Players bought in auction: 9

Overseas players bought: 8

Purse at the end of the auction: Rs 16.50 crore