Picture Credit: BCCI
Hello cricket fans! Welcome to our space to keep you updated with the Special General Meeting of the Board of Control for Cricket in India that is slated to take place on Saturday (29th May 2021). The meeting is likely to clear the air on the remainder of IPL 2021 that got postponed midway due to the coronavirus pandemic on May 4. BCCI is eyeing the September-October window for the remaining 31 matches of the mega event but no official confirmation has come out yet from the cricket governing body of India. Reports say that UAE could be the venue for the rest of the 2021 edition of IPL.
The meeting, which will see the officials getting connected virtually, will also decide on the plans related to the T20 World Cup that is slated to take place in India this year. So STAY CONNECTED as we bring all the updates of the meeting to you at the earliest possible.
3:47 PM: The BCCI has decided that the franchises will be allowed to take replacements of players unavailable, both from India and overseas, to revamp their squads for the remainder of IPL.
3: 15 PM: According to reports, BCCI is looking to finalise 3 venues now for the T20 World Cup to reduce travel, if it happens in India. The three venues are - Pune, Mumbai and Ahmedabad, with Narendera Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad hosting the Final.
2: 45 PM: BCCI will to speak to foreign boards on player availability for IPL. The non-availability of foreign players won't be a deal-breaker for the conduct of the remaining part of the IPL.
2:00 PM: Ganguly has even said during the SGM that the BCCI remains "positive" of getting the tax exemption for the World Cup from the Indian government. Notably, the BCCI may end up paying a tax of over INR 900 crores, if they don't get an exemption but given that board has had to suffer losses owing to the pandemic and with huge sums of money due to its players and staff, the Board is hoping to get some relief by the government.
Also Read: BCCI requests CWI to prepone CPL 2021 by a week or 10 days
1:48 PM: Issue regarding payments to domestic players not discussed
From what is being learned, the issue regarding payments to domestic players was not discussed in the SGM. While one of the associations purportedly even raised this issue for discussion but was turned down by BCCI President Sourav Ganguly and Vice-President Rajeev Shukla, clarifying that it was not part of the agenda.
1:22 PM: It was already being speculated that the IPL may well be moved to the UAE. The BCCI has apparently already had an informal agreement with the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) in the UAE.
The BCCI also has decided to seek more time from the International Cricket Council (ICC) to stage the T20 World Cup in India. The ICC has slated its meeting on June 1 to decide on the matter, but the world body may have to defer the decision on moving the October 18-November 15 tournament out of India in view of the BCCI's request. The BCCI wants to explore all possibilities to host the WC in India.
1:01 PM: BIG BREAKING- The BCCI has formally decided that the remaining fixtures of the Indian Premier League 2021 will be held in the United Arab Emirates. It is further being reported that the BCCI has taken the call to move the IPL out of India based on bad weather in India around September-October, which is the window that is likely to be finalised to conduct the remaining 31 matches.
12:44: PM: The BCCI SGM meeting has reportedly already commenced. Don't go anywhere as we try and break all the major developments right here!
12:20 PM: Earlier, reports had suggested that with no pandemic cover IPL was unlikely to get any insurance payout in case the tournament is not able to happen this year. With over Rs 2,500 crore on the line, this is a huge task for the Indian cricket board get the tournament done this year.
12:15 PM: With regards to the IPL, the availability of overseas players remains a major concern with ECB Managing Director Ashley Giles clearly refusing to send England players to the rescheduled IPL if there is an official request from the BCCI.
11: 45 AM: The meeting will take place virtually. In a nutshell, the agendas which will be there on BCCI's list are following:
1.) IPL 2021 Phase 2 in UAE
2.) Foreign players availability
3.) Vaccination of all players before IPL
4.) Rescheduling series vs SA & NZ
5.) T20 WC in India or not
6.) Domestic cricket
11: 05 AM: According to reports before the meeting, the remainder season of IPL 2021 is most likely to be held in UAE between Sep 17th to Oct 10th. While the BCCI will also discuss central contracts and compensation for first class cricketers - men and women both.
10: 20 AM - Finally, the day of reckoning has arrived. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Special General Meeting is set to be held at 12: 00 PM today. The major areas of attention will be the planning for the T20 World Cup, the resumption of the 14th edition of the IPL and the payment process for domestic cricketers, venues and other logistical issues are also likely to be discussed during the meeting. The final decision is expected on June 1.
04:45 PM - Notably, Mumbai is the base for the virtual SGM. BCCI president Sourav Ganguly will reach the venue Friday night.
03:28 PM - According to PTI, BCCI will confirm the window for remainder of IPL 2021 in the meeting that takes on Saturday.
02:00 PM - The BCCI is expecting 10 double-headers and seven single headers apart from four play-off games, as per an official of the governing body.