IPL 2021: BCCI might stage remainder of tournament in UAE, UK or Australia

As the Indian Premier League’s (IPL) 14th season witnessed an indefinite suspension due to emergence of several COVID-19 positive cases in its secure bio-bubbles, the BCCI is now reportedly trying to organise the remainder of the tournament in either UAE, United Kingdom or Australia.

According to a report in Times of India (TOI), it is quite possible that the league will now be held in the UAE, which had successfully hosted the 2020 edition of the league.

“Even if the second wave of the pandemic subsides by September, there are predictions of a third wave in the last quarter of the year, and ICC is unlikely to wait till September to take a call on the host venues,” a BCCI source was quoted by Times of India as saying.

Significatly, the IPL 2020 were held across three venues in the UAE – Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi – after the tournament was shifted in wake of the first wave of coronavirus in India. However, the BCCI had reportedly paid Rs 90 crore to the Emirates Cricket Board apart from the expenses incurred in hosting the two-and-a-half-month long tournament.

Earlier, the BCCI had zeroed nine venues in India for hosting the T20 World Cup, which is slated to be held later this year however, maintaining bio-secure bubbles with immense travelling doesn’t look a cake walk for the Indian cricket board, a thing which has come to light with this year;s IPL.

Meanwhile, the BCCI is already working to ensure safe return of international players amid some strict travel restrictions.

Issuing a statement on the issue, the BCCI had said on Tuesday: “The BCCI will do everything in its powers to arrange for the secure and safe passage of all the participants in IPL 2021.”

Also, the BCCI could take up UK as an other option as the Indian team will travel to England next month for the World Test Championship (WTC) and will remian there until the completion of a five-match Test rubber against the hosts.

The Indian board, meanwhile could also approach the Australian government for hosting the tournament however, it remains to be the last option.

News Desk

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