NEW DELHI: The India government has ordered upcoming international cricket matches to be played in empty stadiums, as travel operators warned of an unprecedented impact of a blanket visa ban by the government to combat the spread of coronavirus.

With just 68 confirmed cases and no deaths, India has so far been relatively unscathed by the virus compared to elsewhere in Asia, Europe and North America. But experts fear that its overstretched medical systems may not be able to handle the type of intensive care required to handle a spike in infections.

New Delhi said late on Wednesday it will cancel almost all visas issued for travel to the country until April 15, in one of the most far-reaching attempts to prevent the spread of the virus.

On Thursday, the country’s sports secretary said it wanted the national cricket team’s upcoming matches to be played in empty stadiums — an unheard-of occurrence for one of India’s national obsessions.

The chief ministers of two states where India is due to play matches against South Africa this month “have been advised to avoid gathering of people,” RS Jhulaniya said. “Matches may go on without spectator crowd”.

Brijesh Patel, governing council chairman of the Indian Premier League, the country’s premier domestic cricket tournament due to start later this month, said the organisation would meet on Saturday to discuss “all possibilities” regarding the tournament, including visas issues for overseas players and the possibility of playing matches in empty stadiums as calls grew to cancel or delay the world’s richest tournament.

The stakes are huge. The 60-game league is said to generate more than $11 billion a year to the Indian economy and Chinese mobile-maker Vivo paid $330 million to be the top sponsor for 2018-2022.

A senior BCCI official said the IPL could be played behind closed doors.

“We are keen to start the IPL on time even if it means without crowds,” the official said. “It could be TV-only as it is a medical emergency and we can do nothing about that.”

The Maharashtra state government has already ordered Mumbai Indians, the reigning champions, to delay ticket sales for the gala opening game against arch-rivals Chennai Super Kings.

Maharashtra has called on the central government to order all games played without spectators. “Human life has far more value than the IPL,” said Maharashtra health minister Rajesh Tope.

Karnataka state, the home of Virat Kohli’s Bangalore Royal Challengers, wants the league cancelled altogether, reports said.

Since emerging in the Chinese city of Wuhan late last year, the flu-like coronavirus has infected more than 126,000 and killed over 4,600 people globally.

BD SCRAP CRICKET CELEBRATION

In Bangladesh, a major cricket celebration this month to mark 100 years since the birth of the country’s founding president has been postponed.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Wednesday shelved next week’s series of “Mujib 100 events” to commemorate the centenary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s birth, including a concert by Oscar-winning Indian music director AR Rahman and two “Asia v Rest of the World” Twenty20 cricket internationals.

“The decision to postpone the events was based on the general cautionary advice for the public from the government and international health agencies,” BCB chief executive officer Nizamuddin Chowdhury said.

“We regret the inconveniences but at the same time hope that everyone concerned will understand our position as this is a major health issue across the globe and we cannot leave anything to chance,” he said.

BCB president Nazmul Hassan told reporters they would try to host the event at a later date.

Bangladesh has so far reported three coronavirus cases, which prompted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the country’s health authorities to advise people to avoid mass gatherings.

India’s Kohli, South Africa’s Faf du Plessis, England’s Jonny Bairstow were among players expected to feature in the matches on March 21 and 22.

The International Cricket Council had granted both the matches Twenty20 international status.

First SA-India ODI washed out

DHARAMSALA: The first one-day international between India and South Africa in the northern Indian city of Dharamsala was called off without a ball being bowled due to incessant rain on Thursday.

While several international sporting events have been cancelled or postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak, the two cricket boards decided to go ahead with three one-day internationals despite concerns.

On Thursday, the Indian government said it wanted the national cricket team’s upcoming matches to be played in empty stadiums - an unheard-of occurrence in a country where the sport is a national obsession.

But a sizeable crowd nonetheless gathered in the Dharamsala ground, with local match organisers saying they had not received the government directive. The fans were, however, left disappointed as the rains did not relent.

The second ODI will be held in Lucknow before Kolkata’s Eden Gardens hosts the final match.

Published in Dawn, March 13th, 2020