IPL Without Overseas Players Will Be Like Playing Another Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: CSK Official

IPL, cricket’s marquee franchise event outside the international calendar, Indian Premier League [IPL] has been postponed for an indefinite period of time due to the global pandemic that is COVID-19. And, uncertainty galore as to whether the tournament will go ahead this year or not.

In order to stage the competition at some point this year, several options are being considered which also includes playing the tournament without overseas players.

Rajasthan Royals recently offered their liking towards the idea but the same has been refuted by the Chennai Super Kings, who thinks that IPL without foreign players will be like playing another Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy [Indian domestic T20 competition].

“CSK is not keen to do an IPL with only Indian players. That way it would be playing another Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. The franchise has not been in touch with the BCCI of late as the situation is worsening. Let’s hope we can have the IPL later this year,” A CSK official told Press Trust of India [PTI].

Also Read: BCCI Could Lose Close To 40 Billion Rupees If IPL 2020 Does Not Take Place: Arun Dhumal

‘We expect the BCCI to take the best possible decision’- CSK official on IPL

The BCCI is keen to stage the 13th edition of the tournament at some point this year. The September-October window is a possible alternative provided the T20 World Cup in Australia is canceled.

Earlier, BCCI treasurer had revealed that if the tournament is eventually canceled, the apex body could incur a loss of Rs 4000 crore.

“The board will take a revenue hit of Rs 4000 crore if it doesn’t happen. The board will be in a big problem,” BCCI treasurer Arun Dhumal had told PTI.

With the situation not really improving as far as COVID-19 is concerned, the franchise owners do not see a point in discussing the possible future of the tournament with the BCCI as of now.

“There has been no discussion with the BCCI ever since it postponed the IPL. There is no point in discussing also as things are unlikely to be okay anytime soon. We expect the BCCI to take the best possible decision when the time comes,” the CSK source added.

The 13th edition of the cash-rich league was originally scheduled to start from March 29 with Mumbai Indians taking on MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings at the Wankhede stadium. That game would have also marked Dhoni’s return to competitive cricket after an eight-month hiatus.

Also Read: MS Dhoni Apologised Instantly: Mitchell Santner Opens Up On Dhoni’s Confrontation With Umpires In IPL 2019