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The 13th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) will take place in the UAE from September 19 to November 10.
After the IPL Governing Council meeting on Sunday (August 2), it was decided that the matches will be played at the three venues – Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi – subject to necessary clearances from the Government of India, which is expected in the next couple of days.
Meanwhile, the IPL Governing Council has finalised other key decisions, meanwhile:
- There will be ten double-headers in total.
- Night matches will start at 19:30 IST instead of the 20:00 IST which has been the norm and the afternoon games at 15:30 IST.
- Four matches of the Women’s T20 Challenge will take place during the IPL play-offs to be played between three teams.
Squad size, SOP and Covid-19 Replacements
“The Governing Council also discussed the comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), which will be finalised and published in due course, including the agencies to execute and deliver a bio-secure environment for safe and successful conduct of IPL 2020 Season,” said the statement.
Moved out of India due to the rising COVID-19 case count in the country, the IPL 2020 will allow unlimited COVID-19 replacements considering the delicate health safety situation across the globe.
“We expect the Home and External Affairs Ministry to give us necessary approvals within another week. The final will be played on November 10 as it enters the Diwali week making it lucrative for the broadcasters,” the IPL GC member said.
Also, the sponsorship deals will remain unaffected for the upcoming IPL season. It would have been challenging to get new sponsors for the BCCI at a short notice given the current financially difficult climate. As per reports, the squad size in terms of playing members will be 24 per franchise.
“Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is still being prepared, but there would be any number of COVID replacements this year.
“Also the BCCI has received presentations from a Dubai based group on creating a medical facility in the UAE. The BCCI is also in talks with the Tata Group for creating a bio-bubble,” the IPL GC member said.
Earlier, Brijesh Patel, the chairman of the IPL governing council, announced that plans were afoot to hold the tournament in the UAE. Part of the 2014 edition was also held in the UAE since it coincided with the general elections in India.
