Picture Credit: ICC
In a recent development, it is now being said that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is keeping a close tab around the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2021. Notably, India is battling the COVID-19 surge, the biggest in the world. As per official data, the country has hit new records for the number of daily infections for the fifth successive day, with over 3.52 lakh COVID-19 cases and 2,812 deaths in a single day on Monday.
Even the Indian Premier League is not left unaffected as several players have made early exits from the tournament and questioned the Board's decision to go ahead with the tournament amid a national emergency.
With India set to host ICC Men's T20 World Cup in October-November this year, the safety and security of players, support staff and other personnel involved will be a huge concern despite the BCCI being able to conduct IPL inside a bio-bubble, where no one has returned positive thus far. This is because some of the overseas players have cited the bubble to be “vulnerable”.
Caravan model could be used for T20 World Cup
Meanwhile, it is being reported that the BCCI is mulling to host the T20 World Cup in the same caravan format as the IPL. This would mean that teams would stay at the same venue for a set number of fixtures before moving to another stadium. Despite this, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has apparently booked the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as a backup venue. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka is also seen as an alternative option to India, with ICC in regular contact with BCCI with regards to the COVID-situation in India.