The chances of IPL 2020 being held this year look enormously bleak due to the Covid-19 outbreak, but former England skipper Kevin Pietersen believes the 13th edition of the league should happen and could be finished in maximum four weeks.

IPL 2020 was supposed to start from March 29 but due to the spread of the coronavirus, the tournament has been deferred until at least mid-April. As the Covid-19 cases continue to rise in the country, BCCI has provided no further updates regarding the cash-rich league.

However, Pietersen suggested for the tournament to be played at 3 safe venues and behind closed doors amid the spread of the deadly disease.

"Let's say July-August is the earliest, I do truly believe the IPL should happen," Pietersen said on Star Sports Cricket Connected, adding, "I do believe it is the kick-start to the cricket season. I think every single player around the world is desperate to play the IPL.

"There could be a way in which to get some money into the franchises, into the economy by having a situation where you use maybe three venues which are completely closed to fans and the players can still go out and play the tournament in three weeks or in four weeks."

"So it's a more condensed tournament in three venues, which we know are safe, which we know are secure," he said.

"I don't think the fans need to be risked in this situation. I think the fans need to understand they can't watch a live game at the moment and they might not be able to watch a live game for the foreseeable future. [But] what would you guys give right now, to watch Mumbai Indians v Chennai Super Kings right now?"

Cricketer-turned-commentator Sanjay Manjrekar was also of a similar opinion, saying the IPL 2020 will kickstart the economy as the tournament also serves as a means of livelihood for a number of people other than the players involved.

"The moment we get clearances from all the authorities that matter, the IPL should happen," he said. "Only because it will kickstart the economy because when you talk about the IPL it's not just about the Mumbai Indians, or a [MS] Dhoni or a Virat Kohli, there are a lot of people who are making their livelihood through the IPL."