IPL 2021 Is Suspended, But BCCI Is Considering UK, UAE Or Australia As Potential Venues

BCCI can still host the rest of IPL 2021 later in the year as per a TOI report. The board, the league’s governing council (GC), franchises, broadcaster and other stakeholders are unanimous in agreement in this matter.?

The question remains as to when and where.

The remaining half of the IPL – ‘Phase-2’ as some are calling it already – will certainly not be held in India, regardless of an available window, enhanced bio-secure bubbles or potential improvement in the Covid-19 situation.?

The India option is ruled out because overseas cricketers – who wanted to rush back home given the Covid situation in India – will not want to return here in a hurry. And without the overseas cricketers, the IPL is then a slightly fancier ‘Mushtaq Ali’, the domestic T20 tournament.?

BCCI

“It has to be played overseas. Certain suggestions have already been heard. The BCCI just has to make up its mind,” top sources in the board said.?

Three suggestions have come up over planning Phase-2.?

A) Move the league to UAE, a tried and tested venue that worked successfully in 2020, where the T20 World Cup can also be hosted post-Phase-2. After India’s tour of England gets over on September 14, the players participating in the IPL can head to the UAE, finish a week’s quarantine and finish the remaining 31 matches before the World Cup begins around October 22.?

“If the World Cup is shifted, the whole scheduling will get re-worked anyway,” said those in the know. However, they added: “Weather will be a problem because September remains a very hot month and UAE only begins to cool down October onwards.”?

B) Moving it to the United Kingdom is another option, also seen as a more viable one, while shifting the T20 World Cup to the UAE. The BCCI can make use of the end of the English summer – end of September and early October – to conclude the league.?

BCCI

The Indian team will travel to England next month for the World Test Championship and remain based out of there until the completion of India’s five-Test series.?

“The weather will be good for cricket. It will suit the broadcaster too because time zones can be adjusted and overseas players from outside of India and England will be willing to travel,” they add.?

Players can head to the UAE for the T20 World Cup.?

C) Another option – if BCCI decides, and the government of Australia revises its policies in four months from now – is moving the T20 World Cup scheduled in India this October-November to Australia.?

India can make this barter and host the 2022 edition, which is scheduled in Australia for now.?

“Cricket Australia certainly won’t mind this exchange if their government allows. And since international players will anyway arrive there for the World Cup, Perth – which is three-and-half-hours ahead of Indian Standard Time – can host Phase-2 to cater to Indian prime-time,” sources said.?

“This can happen only if the Australian government changes its mind and if broadcasters are willing to agree,” they add. All the three options will be in play.?

“A new destination will infuse freshness into the league and that itself will attract viewership. England and Australia are good options,” industry sources said.

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