New Zealand has offered BCCI to host the 13th edition of IPL:
After Sri Lanka and UAE, now New Zealand has offered to organize the 13th edition of IPL. But, BCCI is yet to take the final decision on this. Previously, IPL was scheduled to be held on 29th March, but because of the coronavirus, it postponed.
Now, the BCCI is looking for a window to host the cash-rich league. However, the decision on IPL completely depends upon the ICC’s decision on the T20 World Cup, which is scheduled to begin in mid-October. Considering hosting IPL in India, the chances are looking dull as now India has become the third-worst affected country worldwide after the United States of America (USA) and Brazil.
The safety of the players has more priority: BCCI official
A senior officer of BCCI quoted “Organizing the league in India is our first choice but considering the safety of all, it is not fair to be held in our country, then we will look at the foreign countries. Sri Lanka, UAE and New Zealand are extending their hands and offered to host IPL this year.”
He added “We have to sit with all stakeholders like teams, broadcasters, etc. and make a decision. The most priority thing is the safety of the players and we will never compromise on that.”
In the past, the IPL has taken place overseas in the year 2009. The whole league was held in South Africa because of elections in India. Again in 2014, a part of the league held in UAE after which the next half of the league held in India.
In case the IPL takes place in New Zealand, the timings of the match also need to be adjusted. With New Zealand, India has a time difference of seven and a half an hour. If the match starts at 12.30 PM, the maximum office people would miss the game.