Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and the rest of the IPL 2021 teams will be scheduled to finish their remaining matches between September and October, just before the ICC T20 World Cup. According to a study in the TOI, the BCCI has devised a proposal to hold the IPL 2021 phase 2 in the UAE in a one-month span between September 15 and October 15.
The BCCI is in discussions with the ECB to narrow the gap between the second and third Tests in India’s series against England. However, somehow if that does not happen, the BCCI will still get a 30-day timeframe to conclude the remaining 31 matches, which will be split into eight double-headers over four weekends.
The Indian board is expected to announce the plans on May 29 at a Special General Meeting (SGM) convened by the BCCI themselves. The problem has been caused by two factors: the ICC T20 World Cup and India’s five-match Test series against England.
The ICC T20 World Cup is set to begin on October 18 in India. However, if the COVID-19 turmoil in India persists, the UAE will be the most likely location, with the ICC making a decision at its June 2 AGM. However, the BCCI is still attempting to hold the World Cup in India, which would result in the availability of stadiums in the UAE for the IPL matches.
The other aspect is India’s five-match 41-day Test series against England in the United Kingdom. The 2nd and 3rd Tests are separated by nine days. The second Test will take place from August 12 to 16, followed by the third on August 25.
For the time being, the BCCI assumes that holding the IPL 2021 Phase 2 and the World Cup at separate locations would not be an issue. Since the IPL playoffs will only be featuring four sides, players from the remaining teams will join their respective national sides for ICC T20 World Cup preparations before the playoffs.
Although the prospect of a third wave of COVID-19 remains, the BCCI and the ICC will continue to control the situation and decide later. For the time being, the World Cup is scheduled to be held in India, while the IPL 2021 Phase 2 will be held in the United Arab Emirates.
