MUMBAI: The central government, in the backdrop of the coronavirus scare, has thrown the ball back to organiser’s court to decide on the future of the thirteenth edition of Indian Premier League (IPL), which is scheduled take place between 29 March and 24 April 2020.

The eight-team franchise is termed to be the biggest sporting event in the country. And, it’s expected that at least 40,000 people will witness the game live from the stadiums during this season of IPL 2020.

On the effect of coronavirus on IPL, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson had said: “It is for the organisers to decide whether to go ahead with it or not. Our advice would be to not do it at this time but if they want to go ahead, it is their decision.”

However, the ministry clarified: “Some general observations were made on holding large sporting events in India. But no specific recommendations have been sought or made by MEA on hosting the IPL or any other sporting event in India.”

It has been speculated that the tournament is likely to be postponed or will be hosted in a closed-door format without large gatherings. However, while confirming these speculations, the Maharashtra government has asked the IPL organisers to host close-door tournament or postpone it to a later date to curb the spread of the virus.

In this regard, the Maharashtra health minister Rajesh Tope on Thursday said: “Cabinet discussed and we are of the view that big gatherings should be avoided. We have two options: IPL should be done without spectators or else matches should be postponed.”

Asian News International, quoting sources, reported, “The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has invited all Indian Premier League team franchises for IPL Governing Council meeting on Saturday”.

Earlier on Thursday, the Madras High Court ordered to issue notices to the BCCI and the union health ministry regarding a PIL against conducting IPL matches in view of the coronavirus outbreak.

The virus that first appeared in the Wuhan city of China has spread to over 46 countries and entered India earlier this month. Around 100 positive cases have been confirmed in India as of Thursday. The first death in the country has been reported from Karnataka as a 76-year-old male was infected by the novel virus.