IPL 2021 To Resume In UAE, Confirms BCCI SGM

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been confirmed as the hosts for the second phase of IPL 2021. The BCCI had to postpone IPL 2021 indefinitely in the first week of May after 29 matches since four franchises reported a handful of COVID-19 positive cases. The UAE, which was already on track to stage the tournament, will serve as hosts certainly.

While India remained in the fray for the IPL 2021 to resume, the BCCI, in their Special General Meeting (SGM), decided to shift the proceedings due to the bad weather in the sub-continent nation around September-October. Thus, UAE will stage the remaining 31 games of the tournament. But the Indian cricket board is yet to announce the schedule for the same, with the national team having plenty of international commitments before that.

But the overseas players’ availability remains highly doubtful for the second leg of the marquee T20 league. England Cricket Board director Ashley Giles strongly indicated that their players would not be allowed to participate in IPL during their resting period from the bio-bubble. Australian players’ participation also remain under the cloud due to their busy international summer, with Cricket Australia wanting to keep their players fresh for the same.

The UAE has already successfully hosted the 2020 edition of the tournament. However, while the last year’s event in the country witnessed a few COVID-19 positive cases before the competition, there was none once it began. The middle-east nation also staged a handful of fixtures in 2014, considering India had election procedures to deal with. The nation also remains a back-up venue for the T20 World Cup this year if the prevailing COVID-19 situation in India does not improve.

Emirates Cricket Board happy to host the remaining IPL like last time: Sources

Sources claimed that Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) are thrilled to host the remaining matches of the T20 league like last time. The Indian cricket board will move to speak to their foreign counterparts regarding the overseas players’ availability. They said that while Australian players might be available, there are question marks over English and Kiwi players and they hope to sort it out. As for the T20 World Cup, since there are more than four months for that, they remain optimistic that the situation will get better. Additionally, the BCCI will request for some time to take a final call on the same.

“There have been talks with the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) and they are happy to host the remaining IPL in Dubai, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi like last time. The BCCI will now speak to the foreign boards to decide on the availability of the foreign players. While the Australian players may be available, there are some questions over the availability of the England and New Zealand players, we will see how that works out. We are looking at a 25-day window and that is on. There is still close to four and a half months and we are confident things will change in that space of time with respect to COVID-19. The BCCI will request the ICC for time till the end of June or the start of July to take a final call on that matter,” Sources claimed as per ANI.

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