IPL 2021: We Have To Look At A Window Before Or After The T20 World Cup For The Remaining 31 Matches, Says Brijesh Patel

While BCCI’s decision to postpone IPL 2021 was a sensible one, given that positive cases emerged within the bubble from three franchises, it was a tough call. Chairman Brijesh Patel was likely one of the integral members present when an emergency meeting was convened to take a call on the lucrative league. Nevertheless, Brijesh Patel conceded that they would conduct the remainder of the competition before or after the T20 World Cup this year.

Across Kolkata Knight Riders, Chennai Super Kings, SunRisers Hyderabad, and Delhi Capitals, a handful of men tested positive for COVID-19. Hence, the BCCI was left with no choice but to defer it as the bubble had been compromised. According to a Cricbuzz report, India is reportedly looking at the September window to conduct the remaining 31 matches of IPL 2021. As for the T20 World Cup, UAE has emerged as a strong contender after India’s unsuccessful attempt at hosting IPL.

Brijesh Patel underlined that they would complete the remaining matches whenever it would seem feasible and continue from where they left off. Hence, the possible window could be after or before the T20 World Cup in October-November 2021.

“The remaining 31 matches will be completed whenever we can. So, matches will resume from where we left this year. We have to look at a window, before the ICC T20 World Cup or after the World Cup (October-November 2021),” Patel told News18.

It’s always a tough decision to suspend a tournament like the IPL: Brijesh Patel

Brijesh Patel conceded that it was always challenging to suspend a competition like IPL; however, looking at the circumstance, they had no other choice. With men from four teams testing positive for COVID-19, they did not see it fit to conduct the tournament. The 68-year old also considered the ongoing situation in India before calling it off.

“It’s always a tough decision to suspend a tournament like the IPL. But, four teams were involved and some players included. One player in Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and one support staff from Chennai Super Kings tested positive. It was not possible to reschedule the matches with four teams involved. Looking at the overall situation also in India, what we thought best was to suspend it and have the matches later,” he added.

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