The apex cricketing board in India, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), tentatively has decided to host the 2020 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in between the window of September 26 to November 8, hoping that the ICC T20 World Cup does not take place.
However, BCCI’s proposed window has left the broadcasters, Star India, unhappy. Earlier, the tournament was scheduled to take place from March 29 onwards. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic onset across the globe, the competition was postponed indefinitely.
Keeping in mind the current situation of COVID-19 casualties in India, the tournament is likely to be shifted abroad. Currently, UAE remains in top contention to host the cash-rich league. BCCI plans to host all 60 matches of IPL within 44 days, thereby ending the tournament well before Diwali festival on November 14, leaving Star India grumpy.
According to TOI, Star India desired for a Diwali-end to the tournament, which provides a significant advertisement boost revenue for the broadcasting giants.
Moreover, BCCI remains adamant about ending the tournament early to prepare its players for the Australian tour which starts on December 3.
BCCI also intended to reduce the 14-day quarantine period of the Indian players when they set foot on Australian soil later this year. But BCCI’s request was declined by the Australian government. A final decision will be taken on the fate of this year’s ICC T20 World Cup as well as the scheduling of the IPL on Monday evening,
“If the IPL concludes by November 8, the team can fly to Australia by the 10th, undergo COVID tests and start practice and warm-up matches so that the first Test can begin as scheduled. Also, India might want to play a day-night warm-up game ahead of the proposed day-night Test, and that will add days to the schedule,” a BCCI official was quoted by TOI.
