IPL 2021 resumption possible in September if COVID situation improves.
IPL chairman Brijesh Patel also confirmed to cricket website Cricbuzz that they are exploring the small window in September before the T20 World Cup, which is expected to be shifted to UAE from India.
Following the IPL 2021 postponement, BCCI was clear enough with their stance that the tournament is not resuming anytime soon as they stated in their official statement that arrangements will be made to get all the participants back home safely.
Many cricket experts saw the postponement coming after two Kolkata Knight Riders tested positive for COVID-19 amid pressure of continuing with the private league when the pandemic situation in the country was at its worse. By Tuesday afternoon the tournament was put on hold by BCCI with as many as four players and two team staffs testing positive.
With this came the question, if there is any window available this year in a packed schedule for the tournament to resume. A small window before the T20 World Cup and right after the India tour of England appeared and a BCCI official said it’s a possibility given the pandemic situation improves and foreign players are available to play.
“Why not? If the foreign players are available and the COVID-19 situation is in control, we can definitely look at that window before the T20 WC. It can in fact act as a good preparation ground for the showpiece event,” the BCCI official told news agency ANI.
IPL chairman Brijesh Patel also confirmed to cricket website Cricbuzz that they are exploring the September option.
“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,” Brijesh said.
The postponed Indian Premier League 2021 will resume tentatively on September 18 or 19 in the UAE with as many as 10 double-headers expected to be played during a three-week window, a senior BCCI official told PTI on Tuesday.
The final might be held on October 9 or 10. The three-week window will be enough for the league to complete its remaining 31 games for the season, a win-win scenario for all the primary stakeholders including the BCCI, franchises and broadcasters.
The IPL was postponed on May 4 after multiple COVID-19 cases inside its bio-bubble came to light.
“The BCCI has spoken to all the stakeholders and the likely start could be between September 18th to 20th. Since September 18 is a Saturday and 19 a Sunday, it is more likely that you would want to re-start it on a weekend date,” the official told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
