Though the International Cricket Council (ICC) has taken one more month before taking any final call on the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2020, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President Sourav Ganguly has clarified that they are trying everything to organise the IPL 2020. Now, the Chairman of the Indian Premier League (IPL) governing council, Brijesh Patel has clarified about their present status on the IPL 2020. They are currently looking at September-October window to organise the 13th IPL.
IPL 2020 was originally scheduled between 29th March and 24th May 2020. But the coronavirus pandemic forced to postpone this tournament without giving an opportunity to begin it. The BCCI is still finding out to organise this tournament safely this year but they will also have to find out a new window for this tournament.
Meanwhile, Australia will host the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2020 from 18th October to 15th November 2020. But the coronavirus pandemic has opened up a doubtful future of this tournament. However, the ICC is still hopeful to organise this tournament on time as they will take any final decision on this tournament in the next month.
Though the upcoming T20 World Cup hasn’t postponed yet, the BCCI President has just clarified that they are working on all possible options to organise the IPL 2020 in this year.
Now, Brijesh Patel has clarified that the official decision about the IPL 2020 can be taken only after the final decision on the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2020. However, he has also added that they are looking at September-October window to organise the IPL 2020.
Patel told TOI, “We are ready to go ahead with the IPL. But we can start planning the schedule formally only after the official announcement is made on the T20 World Cup, which I’m expecting will arrive anytime soon. On our part, we’ve already earmarked the September-October window for the tournament to be played.”
He further added, “Right now, we’re saying it’s tentative because finalities of the schedule can only be worked out once official confirmations arrive. Talks are going on with the league’s multiple stakeholders and we’re all on board. So, it’s a matter of time before we start putting things in place.”
On the other hand, Asia Cup 2020, which will be played in the T20 format, can be hosted in September 2020, especially if the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2020 follows the original schedule. In this case, the tentative window for the IPL 2020 can get hurt massively.
We don’t mind shifting the IPL 2020 to another country: Brijesh Patel
Though the BCCI President has just clarified to trying their best to host the IPL 2020 in India, Patel has opened up the IPL 2020 opportunity in the foreign countries too, partially or entirely.
He claimed, “We have to watch how things are going to play out over the next one month from a Covid perspective. We don’t mind shifting the IPL to another country, either in part or in full. There are other aspects to be considered here.
“Suppose we shift just the first leg out of the country, we will have to go through a quarantine when we fly there. But we may probably also have to go through another quarantine when we’re back for the India leg, if Covid doesn’t relent. Or who knows, by October things will be different. Let’s see. Right now, we’re not ruling out the idea of playing the whole tournament overseas.”
The Emirates Cricket Board and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) have already shown their interests to organise the IPL 2020.
Brijesh Patel has also clarified that if the IPL 2020 begins, it will be played only in two or three venues.
He stated, “If the IPL has to begin in September, there’ll be a threat of monsoon. Whatever the case, logistics will have to be worked out carefully. Whether in India or overseas, the tournament won’t be played at more than two or three venues because it’s only for television.”
If the IPL 2020 happens, it is likely to run in empty stadiums. So, the broadcasters have no problem to shift the IPL 2020 outside India if the tournament runs at the prime time for the Indian fans.