BCCI President Sourav Ganguly Hopeful IPL 2022 Will Be Played In India
Published - 16 Oct 2021, 07:59 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:59 AM
BCCI President Sourav Ganguly is optimistic about the IPL returning to India next year and hopes that the covid-19 situation gets better in the country.
The IPL 2021 had started in April in India before it was halted in early May mid-season due to a covid-19 outbreak in multiple franchises. After a four-month hiatus, the season resumed in the UAE. UAE also hosted the entire IPL 2020.
After the completion of IPL 2021, which the Chennai Super Kings won defeating Kolkata Knight Riders in the final on Friday in Dubai, Sourav Ganguly attended an online launch event for fantasy sports platform ‘My11Circle’ of which he is the brand ambassador. There he was asked if the IPL 2022 will be staged in India.
“I hope so, because it’s India’s tournament,” Sourav Ganguly said on Saturday.
The former India captain further added that though the IPL has been a success in the UAE, he’d love for it to be played in India, also in the presence of a crowd in the stands.
“As much as you see the superb atmosphere in Dubai, it’s different in India. It’s absolutely madness in India with the stands full. We’d love to have it back in India.
“I’m sure in the next seven-eight months, the COVID-19 situation will be very different, and we can host it in India with packed stands and the supporters pouring,” he added.
It’s going to be a great World Cup: Sourav Ganguly
Speaking about the upcoming T20 World Cup, Sourav Ganguly was quizzed whether the World Cup would be a low-scoring affair as seen by the scores during the IPL 2021.
The 49-year-old disagreed, highlighting that only the Sharjah matches were low-scoring, rest Dubai and Abu Dhabi have truer surfaces.
“I don’t think so. Maybe in Sharjah, it will be, because of the wickets. But Dubai is an absolute belter. Abu Dhabi will be a great surface to bat on, and it’s going to be a great World Cup,” the BCCI President asserted.
Mumbai Indians did score 235 in Abu Dhabi versus SRH while CSK put 192 in the final in Dubai against KKR.
The T20 World Cup begins with ‘Round 1’ qualifying matches from October 17. The Super 12 matches start on October 23.
