IPL 2021: BCCI look at September window to finish rest of the tournament

IPL 2021: BCCI look at September window to finish rest of the tournament

IPL 2021

A rise in COVID-19 cases in the bio bubble saw the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) indefinitely postpone the the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021. The move came after four players and two from support staff from three different franchises tested positive for the virus. The postponement has left authorities in a headache as of when to reschedule the remainder of the season.

A packed international calendar along with the T20 World Cup is the biggest concern for the organisers. So far 29 of the 60 games have been played and the BCCI is exploring the option of holding the remaining 31 games in September. That seems to be the only possible window this year with the T20 World Cup scheduled in October,

“A September window is being considered. By then the England-India series would be over and the foreign player would be ready for the T20 World Cup. That small window is being explored,” a franchise official who is in know was quoted by Cricbuzz.

“If we get one, we will explore holding it,” said Brijesh Patel, the chairman of the IPL

Brijesh Patel
Brijesh Patel

The chairman of the IPL Governing Committee, Brijesh Patel confirmed that the organisers are still looking for a window to get through with the rest of the season. He too deemed September as a possible window. And adds that the authorities have some pondering to do before locking in on new dates.

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“Now we have to look for a window. If we get one, we will explore holding it. We’ll have to see if it is possible in September. We need to examine the plans of the ICC and other boards,” Patel was quoted as saying.

As of now, BCCI is focusing on safely sending the players back to their countries. The travel restrictions are posing a hurdle in the transit of the foreign players as the organisers remain in constant touch with the foreign governing bodies. Players from franchises where positive cases have been detected will have to wait for a week more they can leave for their home.

Following the suspension of the IPL 2021 the ICC T20 World Cup scheduled for later this year has come under clouds of doubt. India is the host for the event, but with the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic wreaking havoc in the country at present, it looks unlikely that the International Cricket Council (ICC) would want to host it in a country which is in dire straits, especially with a third wave predicted for later this year.

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