Picture Credit: BCCI/IPL
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has already started their preparations to successfully host the remaining matches of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 in UAE. The top officials including the likes of president Sourav Ganguly and secretary Jay Shah are in Dubai to discuss the logistical aspects of the tournament. BCCI is looking to make a new schedule so that they can fit in at least eight double-headers in the 25-day window. BCCI is planning to restart IPL around mid September and is expected to announce the IPL 2021 phase 2 schedule before the end of June.
BCCI mulling to have 8-10 double headers
If the IPL was not suspended due to coronavirus cases in the bio-bubbles, BCCI had already planned in its schedule to play six more double headers. But now BCCI has only a small window in which they have to complete all the remaining matches of IPL 2021 before the ICC T20 World Cup. As a result, BCCI is planning eight to ten double headers.
In addition, the Indian cricket board is planning to host the last phase of league matches and playoffs including the final only at one venue. Dubai is likely to be considered as the top choice because most of the IPL franchises are likely to book their hotels here as they did in IPL 2020.
If T20 World Cup is shifted to UAE, BCCI and Emirates Cricket Board will be asked to hand over stadiums to ICC by October 1. But according to reports, BCCI has informally got permission to continue playing matches on one of the 3 venues from ICC. This is the reason, ICC in the board meeting also discussed the name of Oman as one of the standby venue for the T20 World Cup.