The coronavirus pandemic has decimated sporting calendars all over the globe, with many events either postponed or cancelled. The option of playing behind closed doors is also not looked upon as a viable option after the coronavirus pandemic claimed over 5000 lives. In India, all sporting events have suffered a major lockdown with the Indian Premier League getting postponed to April 15 while the rest of the Indian domestic calendar has been suspended. International tours, involving Australia, New Zealand, England and Sri Lanka have also been postponed. Amidst all this, Indian cricket team skipper Virat Kohli and former India player VVS Laxman took to social media and told the fans to stay safe and combat the coronavirus.
Kohli took to his official Twitter handle and said, "Let's stay strong and fight the #COVID19 outbreak by taking all precautionary measures. Stay safe, be vigilant and most importantly remember, prevention is better than cure. Please take care everyone." Laxman tweeted an image of a flaming matchstick and explained how stepping back can save lives. "One who stays away can save the rest. Requesting everyone to take the necessary precautions & be responsible. If you have symptoms, please get yourself tested. If you have tested positive please be in isolation and help prevent others. Together we can overcome this soon #COVID19."
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VVS Laxman also took to Twitter to urge people to stay safe from the coronavirus. (Image credit: Getty Images)
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has suspended the remainder of the Indian domestic cricket season over the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. This announcement has resulted in the Irani Trophy, which was to have been played between Saurashtra, the Ranji Trophy champions and Rest of India has now been suspended due to the coronavirus. In a statement by the BCCI, it said, "Senior Women's One-Day Knockout, Vizzy Trophy, Senior Women's One-Day Challenger, Women's Under 19 One-Day knockout, Women’s Under 19 T20 League, Super League and knockout, Women's Under 19 T20 Challenger Trophy, Women's Under 23 knockout, Women’s Under 23 One-Day Challenger have been put on hold till further notice."
Total Lockdown
The announcement has robbed the chance for Saurashtra to go for double glory as they were preparing to take on Rest of India in the Irani Trophy clash. The Irani Trophy is the final first-class match of the Indian domestic season and it involves the winner of the Ranji Trophy taking on the Rest of India side in a neutral venue. Saurashtra won the Ranji Trophy for the first time in their independent history as they defeated Bengal thanks to a first innings lead. The coronavirus pandemic has decimated sporting calendars all over the world.
Also Read | BCCI Suspends Rest Of Indian Domestic Cricket Season Due To Coronavirus
From football to cricket and all other major olympic qualifying events, the coronavirus pandemic has cast a pall of gloom across the entire globe. Football was the first major sport to be affected with the coronavirus pandemic while other sports like Formula One, Cricket and other major olympic qualifying events have been affected in a major way. There are major question marks over the status of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics but the International Olympic Council (IOC) has announced that they will take a decision in May as to whether the Olympics can be postponed or cancelled.
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