After announcing to hold the upcoming 14th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) behind closed dooors due to the rising pandemic cases across the country, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has now said that media will also be not allowed to cover the tournament from the venues.
However, the board also said that if the situation improves, the restriction will be lifted.
“Owing to the health and safety concerns, media personnel will not have access to the stadium to cover the games or team practice sessions,” the BCCI said in a release.
“If health and safety conditions are more favourable later in the season, media may be allowed to access the stadiums to cover the tournament. Such an announcement will be made in due course,” the BCCI statement read.
The BCCI will facilitate virtual post-match press conferences after each match to the media.
Significantly, the IPL 2021 will begins on Friday at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai with a clash between defending champions Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore.