BCCI Mulling Camp For Team India Players In Dubai Ahead Of IPL 2020

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly discussing the possibility of hosting a camp for its contracted players before this year’s IPL. The thirteenth edition of the IPL was scheduled to take place between March 29 and May 17 but has been suspended indefinitely due to the pandemic.

The BCCI, however, has not given up on hosting the tournament this year. However, the Indian cricket board might have to conduct the tournament outside India due to the pandemic situation in the country. As per media reports, United Arab Emirates remains the first choice to host this year’s IPL in October, if the situation doesn’t improve in Mumbai.

And ahead of the IPL, the board is looking at Dubai for the national camp, if UAE is finalised as the host, according to the Indian Express. Clarity on this will emerge after the July 17 Apex Council meeting, as the BCCI is yet to finalise its Standard Operating Procedures with regards to resuming cricketing activities.

The Indian team management had informed the BCCI earlier that it wants at least a six-week training camp before featuring in any series. There are no international fixtures lined up at the moment other than a tour of Australia towards the end of the year. The BCCI wants to host the IPL in October-November.

The report further stated that although the franchises will have their own camps before IPL, the BCCI is looking at a short camp to assess the fitness of the players. But it is not going to be an easy task because of time constraints. If the IPL begins in late September or October, the franchises would expect the players to join at least three weeks in advance.

This means the BCCI has to find time to host the national camp by September first week at least. Current restrictions in India make this logistically challenging. Thus the BCCI is of the opinion that the International Cricket Council Academy in Dubai will be the best place for the camp, as players can join the franchises without any hassle.

“By the looks of it, UAE will mostly host the IPL, unless the situation improves dramatically in Mumbai. So the camp there makes more sense in every way possible. Once the IPL venue is decided, then expect things to move forward quickly,” sources following developments told the news outlet.

Meanwhile, international cricket resumed last week with the first Test between England and West Indies in Southampton. Both the teams will play two more Tests before England welcome Pakistan for three Tests and as many T20Is.

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