Former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum has suggested that the T20 World Cup that is scheduled to take place in the months of October and November this year in Australia should be postponed and this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL) can be held in that slot.
Women’s World Cup Might Also Be Delayed: McCullum
The corona outbreak has caused the suspension of all cricket events including the IPL which was planned to begin from April 15th and is posing a threat to the staging of the world cup also though the organizers are confident about holding it as planned.
McCullum who coaches the IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders speaking on Sky Sports podcast told he believes that the T20 world cup will be postponed and the IPL might utilize that window.
“I think the IPL will try and target that October window and the T20 World Cup will get pushed back,” McCullum said.
He also thinks that the women’s 50-overs world cup which is going to be held in February next year in New Zealand might get affected as a result.
“That may mean the Women’s World Cup gets pushed back but hopefully we get to see all three tournaments operate.”
McCullum also does not expect the world cup going forward without any fans in the stadium or all the 16 countries who will participate in the competition traveling to Australia given that the pandemic is still rampant globally.
“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,” McCullum said.
“IPL Can Sustain Even If Played In Empty Grounds”
Though even in the IPL many foreign players need to come to India McCullum feels it would be easier to hold IPL as the broadcasters are based in the country.
He added IPL can sustain even if played in empty stadiums as it will be watched by a huge number of people on television.
“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,” he said
“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.”
