Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) coach Simon Katich supports the idea of holding this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL) outside India.
He is also confident that the cash-rich tournament will happen in some form sometime later this year.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially announced that the IPL has been suspended until further notice on Thursday.
BCCI secretary Jay Shah said in a statement, “The health and safety of the nation and everyone involved in our great sport remains our top priority…”.
“…the BCCI along with the franchise owners, broadcaster, sponsors and all the stakeholders acknowledge that the IPL 2020 season will only commence when it is safe and appropriate to do so,” he added.
Many RCB Team Members Love Australian Conditions: Katich
Katich feels that his team RCB would love playing in Australia or for that matter any other country as many of their players are Australians and South Africans who like to play in Australian conditions.
Katich told SEN Radio, “Whether it would be in Australia (or elsewhere), that’s an interesting topic of conversation. There would be a few teams – us in particular at RCB, we’d be very happy for it to be played abroad, because a number of our overseas players are Australian and South African, who really would enjoy these conditions in Australia.”
He added, “It would be interesting to see if that would eventuate but obviously it’s one of many scenarios that’s being discussed.”
IPL Is Beneficial For Indian Economy And Other Organisations
Katich also believes that the IPL generates huge money that helps not only the Indian economy but also franchises and the BCCI, and even if the tournament is played in empty stadiums it is economically viable.
“There is a huge economic side to this in terms of what the IPL generates, not only for the Indian economy but also for the franchises as well, and for the BCCI. I guess the thing that has to be weighed up is … there’s probably a little bit of a difference in terms of the IPL,” he said.
“Because of the amounts of eyeballs that are on the IPL in India when it’s on in April and May, it is a scenario where it is potentially still very commercially viable being played with empty stadiums, so that’s something no doubt they’ll be weighing up.”
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