Pressure on for shortened IPL behind closed doors

NEW DELHI: Players are putting pressure on cricket authorities to plan a shortened Twenty20 Indian Premier League later in the year to “kickstart” the sports economy after the coronavirus lockdown.

The world’s richest cricket tournament has been postponed until April 15, which coincides with the end of India’s 21 day nationwide shutdown to halt the spread of pandemic. But with the number of cases and deaths rising and India isolated from international travel, few believe any sport will be possible in sub-continent for at least three months. Pietersen suggested the eight-team tournament be shortened from its normal eight-week duration and played behind closed doors.