New IPL Hosts - Three Potential Scenarios

The Currently Suspended 2021 Indian Premier League Season May Resume Later As BCCI Mulls Over UAE, Australia And England As Potential New Hosts

After the decision to postpone the IPL 2021 season which was being held in India during the pandemic second wave, the BCCI needs to find alternate ways to reduce its staggering losses. 

One such suggestion has come from the league’s Government Council, who has indicated that the BCCI might eventually agree to let 3 other countries host the second half of games this season, with UAE, Australia and England in the fray. 

The option to resume this league in India will not be entertained, as majority of the foreign players that have left following a ridiculously strenuous departure protocol, may not want to return.

IPL 2021 - Three Potential Scenarios

• Transfer the IPL league to the United Arab Emirates, a tried-and-true venue that hosted the T20 World Cup successfully in 2020. After India's tour of England concludes on September 14, IPL players can travel to the UAE, complete a week of quarantine, and play the remaining 31 matches until the World Cup begins on October 22. 

A top BCCI source told us - “If the World Cup is shifted, the whole scheduling will get re-worked anyway. Weather will be a problem because September remains a very hot month and UAE only begins to cool down October onwards.”

• Another, more viable choice is to transfer it to the United Kingdom, while the T20 World Cup is moved to the UAE. The BCCI can finish the league towards the end of the English season, in late September or early October.

The Indian team will fly to England for the World Test Championship next month and will stay there until the end of the five-match series against England.

“The weather will be good for cricket. It will suit the broadcaster too because time zones can be adjusted and overseas players from outside of India and England will be willing to travel. Players can head to the UAE for the T20 World Cup.”- BCCI officials. 

• Shift the T20 World Cup from India to Australia in October-November. If the BCCI agrees and the Australian government revises its policies in four months, India could make a deal and host the 2022 edition instead, which is currently scheduled in Australia.

“ Cricket Australia certainly won’t mind this exchange if their government allows. And since international players will anyway arrive there for the World Cup, Perth – which is three-and-half-hours ahead of Indian Standard Time – can host Phase-2 to cater to Indian prime-time. This can happen only if the Australian government changes its mind and if broadcasters are willing to agree. A new destination will infuse freshness into the league and that itself will attract viewership. England and Australia are good options,” Cricket Australia industry sources said.