The 14th edition of IPL 2021 is likely to start from 14th April, after completing the Vijay Hazare Trophy and a Women’s One-Day tournament. The Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) and the IPL Governing Council have almost concluded on a tentative date. According to a source, who tracking the developments closely, the final would be on June 5th or 6th.
’The final decision will be taken by IPL GC but 11th April is the tentative date to start IPL 2021. The series against England finishes in March and players will get a good break with 11th April start for IPL 14th’, said the BCCI official.
Arun Dhumal, BCCI’s treasurer, who is also a member of the IPL Governing Council, confirmed that the board is confident of hosting the 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League unlike the previous edition, which was held in the UAE due to the outbreak of the COVID pandemic.
“We are working on having the IPL in India and we are hopeful that we would be able to organize it. We are not even thinking of a back up also at this point in time, we are wanting to do it here,” Dhumal said.
“India is probably safer than UAE at this point. Hopefully, the situation remains stable and keeps improving and we will have it here,” Dhumal further added.
Dhumal also indicated on getting the crowds back to stadiums partially, after BCCI’s decision not to go ahead with Ranji Trophy this season, also India’s historic triumph in Australia, and most important COVID-19 vaccination for players, and women’s cricket.
“We took feedback from the players, selection committee, state associations. It was felt that 2020 is already gone and rather than having two Ranji events in the same calendar year, it is better to go for white-ball cricket.”
“That way we could have something for junior cricket and women considering the importance of Women’s World Cup and U-19 World Cup next year.”
“Rather than having one tournament, we thought of having events in different categories,” said Dhumal, adding players will be duly compensated for not getting to play in Ranji Trophy this season.
