Picture Credit: BCCI/IPL
The latest update around the Indian Premier League circuit is that England players could well be available for the second half of this year's tournament in UAE. This is being predicted after The Telegraph reported that the England series against Bangladesh stands on the verge of cancellation. They further said that the Bangladesh tour would be rescheduled to be played within the next 18 months. This comes as a big news especially after England and Wales Cricket Board's statement that they would not make their players available for IPL due to their international commitments.
England’s white-ball series, consisting of three ODIs and as many T20Is against Bangladesh was the assignment that was scheduled in the rescheduled IPL window in September-October. While the tournament had commenced in April and was supposed to culminate in May, COVID-19 cases inside the bio-secure bubbles of franchises competing in the tournament forced the temporary suspension of the competition. It was later announced that the remaining fixtures will happen in UAE.
"Ultimate confirmation of the news about the tour of Bangladesh will be made by the Bangladesh Cricket Board, the home board responsible for overseeing the series," The Telegraph stated in its report.
Better chance to prepare for T20 World Cup by playing IPL in UAE
The report also added that with the rescheduled IPL set to be played in Middle East, which doubles up as the venue of T20 World Cup later in the year, the English players have a better chance of preparing for the world event. Moreover, playing in IPL will also allow the England players to be part of the same bio-bubble that BCCI will set for the ICC event in October.
However, other than the Bangladesh series, the Three Lions are also scheduled to play Pakistan during the IPL window. While the IPL final is scheduled on October 15, England-Pakistan series was slated to begin on October 14. There is little detail on the fate of this bilateral arrangement. In case though, if English players fail to participate in IPL 2021. Rajasthan Royals are likely to be the worst affected with as many as four out of their eight overseas players are from England.