English Counties Offer To Host The Remainder Of IPL 2021

A group of English counties has come forward to host IPL 2021 after the mega event was suspended indefinitely due to the worsening COVID-19 situation in the IPL bio-bubble. Notably, IPL 2021 was called off indefinitely as a bundle of COVID positive cases arose in the bio-bubble in a couple of days.

First up, the KKR duo of Sandeep Warrier and Varun Chakravarthy tested positive for COVID-19. Due to this, the BCCI had to postpone the match that was scheduled to take place on Monday between Royal Challengers Bangalore and KKR. On the same very day, CSK’s bowling coach, Laxmipathy Balaji, and a staff member from CSK tested positive for COVID-19.

English Counties Offer To Host IPL 2021

The next day itself, more bad news followed as SRH wicketkeeper-batsman, Wriddhiman Saha and the veteran off-spinner from Delhi Capitals, Amit Mishra, tested positive for the coronavirus. As things got out of control, the BCCI decided to suspend IPL 2021 immediately for an indefinite period.

Now, media reports have emerged suggesting that English counties have offered to host the remainder of IPL 2021. The Kia Oval (London), Edgbaston (Birmingham) and Emirates Old Trafford and MCC, Surrey, Warwickshire, and Lancashire, who are based at Lord’s are understood to be part of the body that wrote to England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) inviting them to reach out to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

BCCI Looking For Another Window To Conduct IPL 2021

The BCCI is now reportedly looking for another window to conduct the remaining edition of this year’s IPL. IPL Chairman Brijesh Patel has said that the BCCI is looking to hold the remaining season in UAE before or after the ICC T20 World Cup which is scheduled to take place later this year.

With the sharp rise of COVID-19 cases in India, the biggest franchise T20 tournament has come to a standstill. The Indian players will now travel to UK for the ICC World Test Championship final against New Zealand which is slated to take place from June 18-22 in Southampton.