COVID-19 cases since the past few days are again rising. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), who was sure of hosting the mega T20 tournament, IPL in India, is now in doubt. As per the reports from BCCI, the situation is switching every other day, and they again may decide to move IPL 2021 out of India once again like the previous year if the condition worsens.
BCCI Treasurer Arun Dhumal stated that the Indian cricket board is still analysing the situation. “We are still in a dicey situation due to the increase in COVID-19 cases”.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has given IPL the April-May window. But, BCCI has not finalized the schedule and venues for the IPL 2021. Dhumal also stated that BCCI would only make the final decision on schedule and venues after completing the test series between India vs England.
“We will finalize the dates after India vs England test series, currently we don’t have definite answers,” he stated.
When he was asked if is there is any possibility of hosting IPL 2021 at a single venue. Dhumal said, ‘all possibilities will be explored”.
Also, particularly, the broadcasters have asked BCCI to announced the schedule as early as possible, preferably a month before the tournament starts, so that if they can make necessary arrangements.
From a reliable source, we get to know that, “The broadcaster will need at least a month’s time to make preparations for its execution and also sell inventory. Hence a decision on the same must be taken soon”.
“There is a strong possibility IPL might move back to UAE if the second-wave worsens in India. “Let’s see what happens, we are monitoring the situation,” Dhumal said.
Also, BCCI is concerned about the safety of the players. Since the COVID cases are rising in India again, BCCI is worried about hosting the mega tournament. A major reason for worrying as three unnamed players got tested positive for COVID-19 in the continuing Vijay Hazare Trophy. From a reliable source, we got to know that players are from each team – Maharashtra, Bihar, and Himachal Pradesh. Also, as per the reports from reliable sources have further put a question mark over the safe hosting of IPL in India.
