Former New Zealand captain and present Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Head Coach Brendon McCullum believes that the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2020 should be shifted for a better time due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. He also feels that it can open up the new window for the IPL 2020.
The coronavirus has forced to postpone the IPL 2020 which was initially scheduled to be held from 29th March to 24th May 2020. It has already postponed many events of international cricket and has also created the doubtful fate of some upcoming ICC events.
Australia will host the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2020 from 18th October to 15th November 2020. Brendon McCullum feels that the upcoming T20 World Cup will get pushed back which is likely to create the same delayed fate for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2021, which New Zealand will host between 6th February and 7th March 2021 according to the schedule.
McCullum also believes that the IPL 2020 can be organised in the October window if the T20 World Cup gets postponed.
He said according to NDTV Sports, “I think the IPL will try and target that October window and the T20 World Cup will get pushed back. That may mean the Women’s World Cup gets pushed back but hopefully, we get to see all three tournaments operate.”
I can’t see them playing the T20 World Cup behind closed doors: Brendon McCullum
McCullum feels that it will be not easy for Australia to handle the situation properly in quick time to organise a global tournament. Also, he doesn’t support the T20 World Cup in empty stadiums. However, the former Kiwi captain believes that these scenarios are possible for the IPL 2020.
He added, “For Australia to move 16 international teams plus all of their support staff and then broadcasters, seems a bridge too far.
“I can’t see them playing the T20 World Cup behind closed doors either. The ICC and world cricket need crowds to operate but India can probably sustain things commercially behind closed doors because they are going to get so many eyeballs.”
McCullum has elaborated that the International Cricket Council (ICC) is dependent on the ticket sales to generate revenue in the ICC tournaments. Meanwhile, he also added that the IPL is majorly dependent on the broadcaster and sponsorship deals.
He claimed, “There may be a window a bit later in the new year of 2021 which could then open up a window for the IPL (in October and November). You’d have to move some overseas players for the IPL but with the broadcasters based in India, it is a lot easier to pull it all together.”