IPL 2020: Blow For MI, CSK As BCCI Tells Franchises Teams Can Leave For UAE Only After August 20

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly told all the IPL franchises that no team can fly to the UAE before August 20 for the upcoming tournament. The thirteenth edition of the competition will get underway on September 19 with the final set to take place on November 10, the IPL Governing Council confirmed on Sunday.

Recent reports suggested that last year’s finalists – Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) – were looking to leave for Abu Dhabi around August 10 or 12. However, the BCCI’s latest decision has forced them to change their plans. A franchise official has said that the IPL GC has sent in a mail which has clearly told them that the teams can leave for UAE not before August 20.

“We have been informed by a mail from the IPL GC that we can leave for UAE after August 20. So, there is no question of anyone going there before that. The diktat is pretty clear here,” the official was quoted as saying by IANS.

Franchises still waiting for SOPs:

While the BCCI has issued the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) to the state associations for the resumption of cricket on Sunday, the IPL teams are yet to receive it. The franchises are expecting to get it soon so that they can start their final preparations for the competitipn.

“We have not got the SOPs yet, but we have been given the go-ahead to start preparation and the visa process will start from tomorrow onward. The hotels have already been blocked so that is no issue. The blueprints are ready,” the franchise official said.

On the other hand, the BCCI is still awaiting the permission from the Indian government. The cricket board has got the green light from the Sports Ministry but the Central Government is yet to approve their decision of moving the tournament outside India.

“The BCCI has received clearance from the Sports Ministry and we are hopeful of a positive response from the other departments quite soon as well,” a BCCI official had previously told IANS.

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