BCCI's decision regarding IPL's future will be in best interest of country, cricket: Rajeev Shukla

Former Indian Premier League (IPL) Chairman Rajeev Shukla expressed his thoughts on BCCI's (Board of Control for Cricket in India) move to suspend this year's edition of the league saying that it would be in the "interest of both country and cricket".

Shukla further added how the governing body of cricket in India is constantly monitoring the coronavirus outbreak situation in the nation and would take a "proper decision".

"As far as IPL is concerned, they are keeping an eye on this and will take a proper decision on it. We have to see the benefit of our country, whatever would be in the interest of our country and cricket," Shukla told ANI.

"They will take a proper step, there is no worry. They will take a good decision while keeping in mind everything. I don't think that we should comment on anything before the decision," he added.

The coronavirus outbreak brought most sports activities to a halt with players practising social distancing and self-isolation during the pandemic.

BCCI had announced that the 13th edition Indian Premier League (IPL) has been suspended till further notice amid coronavirus pandemic.

The opening match of this year's IPL was supposed to be played between the most successful teams of IPL - defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) - at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on March 29.

As the coronavirus cases in India continue to spread rapidly, India is now just behind the United States, Brazil, and Russia in terms of the total confirmed cases.

It is, therefore, the biggest epicentre of the coronavirus disease pandemic in Asia and the fourth worst-affected nation in the world.

With over 14,800 new cases reported in the last 24 hours, India's COVID-19 count on Monday crossed the 4.25 lakh-mark, while the death toll has almost touched the 13,700-mark as well.