IPL 2020: Fresh Visa Restrictions Put Foreign Players' Participation in Doubt!

In what could be a big blow to organising the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), the government issued fresh visa guidelines on Wednesday in the wake of the Coronavirus outbreak.

As per the new guidelines, all existing visas, except diplomatic, official, UN/international organisations, employment and project visas, stand suspended till April 15. The move has put the participation of foreign players in IPL 2020 into question.

"As there is an exception for those coming to India for official reasons, we are hopeful that our foreign players would make it to the tournament. Rest depends on what the government feels is best," a franchise official was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Wednesday declared the Coronavirus a global pandemic. India has so far recorded over 70 positive cases of the disease.

But the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is still keeping its fingers crossed and has said that necessary precautionary measures will be taken to ensure the safety of the players and the spectators.