BCCI Eyeing Resumption From September, IPL To Be The Priority: BCCI Treasurer

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is fed up of waiting for the ICC to take a call on the T20 World Cup and is now ready to start planning for the remainder of the year. The marquee event is scheduled to take place in October-November this year in Australia. However, the chances of the tournament taking place this year is very less.

Cricket Australia has already made it clear that chances of hosting the tournament in current situation is ‘unrealistic’. But for some reason, the ICC is yet to reveal their final decision on the tournament. They were supposed to take a call in May but referred their decision to July. But the governing body of the game has still kept the cricket boards in dark over this year’s T20 World Cup.

And the BCCI seems to have enough of it as the board is now looking forward to planning for the rest of the year. A report in Times of India said the board is drawing up a tentative window for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020, irrespective of ICC’s decision on the T20 World Cup. Treasurer Arun Dhumal confirmed that the time has come for BCCI to start planning for the year ahead.

“The year started on a horrible note and there’s been no relief on any front. But as time goes by, we need to take things head on and ensure that we remain prepared for any eventuality. Cricket is no different. It is time for the BCCI to start planning for the year ahead,” Dhumal told Times of India.

Giving examples of other sports that are resuming gradually around the world, Dhumal said BCCI is making plans for resumption from September.

“The NBA is beginning in the US in a protected zone. The English Premier League (EPL) is on and so are the FA Cup matches. Bundesliga was the first to show the way,” he said.

“Even Australia’s domestic rugby league is about to begin. This is what is happening right now. What BCCI is talking about is making plans, even if at the contingency levels, for September onward,” he added.

Dhumal hinted that BCCI could prioritise IPL over international cricket saying it’s easier to host domestic leagues. The thirteenth edition of the IPL was scheduled to be played between March 29 and May 17 but had to be postponed due to the pandemic.

“So, what are we witnessing here? Domestic leagues are in focus while the Olympics and the World Cups are taking a backseat. That’s because local leagues dont depend on too many external factors to get going. Revenues are more localised; gate receipts aren’t such a huge concern and local leagues can be trimmed and planned to suit particular windows. They’re also television friendly because they can be adjusted to primarily suit local prime time,” he said.

“Those announcements and outcomes are not in our hands. The T20 World Cup, for instance, is being postponed so let the announcement come when it has to,” he added.

The postponement of the T20 World Cup will give the BCCI the window to host the IPL. The BCCI has already made it clear that it wants to conduct the IPL this year. Recent reports suggest that the tournament could take place in UAE or Sri Lanka due to the prevailing condition in the country.

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