BCCI has indefinitely postponed IPL 2021 in wake of COVID-19 cases among cricketers. The call was inevitable as a couple of teams and their players had started testing positive. It left the BCCI with no other option but to cancel the marquee event with immediate effect. Stay with us to know IPL 2021 new schedule.
Plans to host at an alternative venue and time window:
The top brass of BCCI is now looking at options to restart the event as conditions improve. We understand that there will be a causation understanding to identify the root cause behind the abrupt postponement of this season.
Will the IPL recommence in September?
The investigative part of the IPL postponement may take shape later but for now, the priority lies in finding a window to recommence the IPL. There are two questions in front of the board. When to host the event and more importantly where?
29 completed games have been completed so far. BCCI is now looking at alternatives to hold the remaining 31 matches this season. The board is looking at a September window to host the remainder of the games.
BCCI and Franchisee officials believe so:
A franchise official close to the development of proceedings was quoted saying, “A September window is being considered. By then the England-India series would be over and the foreign players would be ready for the T20 World Cup. That small window is being explored.”
T20 World Cup looms:
BCCI chairman, Brijesh Patel too didn’t rule out this development. He stated, “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.”
T20 World Cup is scheduled to start from October 18-November 15. India hold the hosting rights but it is learnt that UAE might pip India to host the marquee event.
BCCI had informed the franchises about the development:
It is learnt that the BCCI top brass contacted franchise CEOs and managers to keep them in the know-how of the developments. BCCI vice-president, Rajiv Shukla called up the franchises and sought their opinions. Almost all the franchises agreed to the call of indefinitely postponing the IPL at the earliest.
The tournament could not have dragged on as four teams were carrying Covid positive cases. There was an option of suspending the IPL for five days and taking the whole IPL entourage into quarantine at a single city. But the BCCI bosses understood the panic among foreign players and senior support staff members.
The priority is to send back the players safely:
Currently, the BCCI and franchises are focusing on sending the squad members home safely. A plethora of charter flights have been booked to Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Ranchi, and Delhi.
The BCCI has even called the teams to say that it is working with foreign boards on sending their players home. The fear of a travel ban from India for Australians involved in the IPL is lurking. BCCI wants to mitigate any fears there might be amongst the players.
Also read: Upcoming Cricket Events As The Indian Premier League Is Shelved
