It's Hugely Disappointing That IPL Not Taking Place In India: Steve Smith

Rajasthan Royals skipper Steve Smith has expressed his disappointment over IPL 2020 not being held in India. The BCCI has been compelled to conduct the competition in the UAE due to the alarming situation in the India. The coronavirus cases have been rising at an alarming rate.

Earlier this month, the ICC cleared the path for the BCCI to conduct the IPL by postponing this year’s T20 World Cup. The marquee ICC event was scheduled to be played in October –  November in Australia. BCCI will now use that window for the thirteenth edition of the IPL.

BCCI had previously stated that hosting the IPL in India was their first priority. But with the present situation not at all right for hosting the competition in the country, the board had to explore other options before finalising UAE as the venue. And just like others, Steve Smith is also disappointed over the same.

“Part of being a professional cricketer is that you need to adapt and conditions in Dubai may be the same like India. A couple of our players have played in the UAE in 2014 and have the experience. Yes, it’s hugely disappointing that it’s not taking place in India but it’s a decision to get the tournament up and running,” Steve Smith said while speaking at a virtual interactive session following a private screening of the documentary ‘The Inside Story: A season with Rajasthan Royals,’ an intimate look at the Royals’ campaign in the IPL last year.

Meanwhile, IPL chairman Brijesh Patel has already confirmed that Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 will be held across all 3 venues in the UAE – Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah from September 19 to November 8, subject to the approval of the Indian government.

IPL’s Governing Council will meet on August 2 to give a final shape to the schedule and other arrangements for the eagerly-awaited tournament which was originally scheduled to be held between March – May.

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