If IPL takes place, we won't have to go for pay cuts: Sourav Ganguly

BCCI president and former India captain Sourav Ganguly has said that the board might not have to go pay for pay cuts if the Indian Premier League is held in the coming months.

Ganguly also revealed that the BCCI is set to lose Rs 4000 crore if the 13th season of the IPL is not held due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

"We will have to examine our financial situation, see how much money we have, and take a call. Not hosting the Indian Premier League (IPL) will cause losses to the tune of Rs 4,000 crore which is huge," Sourav Ganguly told mid-day.

"If the IPL takes place, we won't have to go in for pay cuts. We'll manage things," he added.

The IPL 2020 was scheduled to kick off from March 29 but had to be suspended until further notice due to the pandemic. And with countries across the world under lockdown, there are concerns over holding the tournament in a safe environment for players and all the other stakeholders.

However, the hopefuls remain optimistic that the BCCI might be able to find a window to host the cash-rich league.

Ganguly also shot down the possibility of a 5-match Test series in Australia. In the last few weeks, there were reports that Cricket Australia was considering a 5-match series against India to make up for the losses.

"I don't think it will be possible for India to participate in five Tests. There will be limited overs games and plus we have to consider the 14-day quarantine guidelines. All this will extend the tour," Ganguly said.

India’s Australia tour will start in October where they will play in the World T20 before taking on the hosts in a 4-match Test series.

Recently BCCI treasurer Arun Dhumal said that India will have no problem going into a 14-day mandatory isolation period before the start of the Australia series.

Meanwhile, South Australian cricket chief Keith Bradshaw, talking to Sportstar, said that Adelaide can potentially host India in more than one Test, if the challenges of inter-State travel remain when – and if – the series gets underway.

[With inputs from Mid-day & Sportstar]