MUMBAI: The world’s most valued cricket league – the Vivo Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to make a comeback (and continue from where it left off early May) in September-October 2021 in the United Arab Emirates. This was announced by The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah through a press release a short while ago.

The decision was taken, Shah revealed, because “the monsoon season in India (is still in place) in the months of September-October this year.”

It may be recalled that the Vivo IPL 2021 had to be aborted following three cricketers getting infected by the novel coronavirus, despite strict bio bubbles being in place. At that time, India had just started reporting global world-record-setting Covid-19 infections as the pandemic’s second wave gathered pace.

The decision was taken at the special general meeting (SGM) held virtually, where members unanimously agreed to resume the IPL. India is all set to play a five-match test series against England, and it is speculated that the T20 series will commence immediately after the tour ends.

The BCCI SGM on Saturday further authorised its office bearers to seek an extension of time from the ICC to take an appropriate call on the hosting of ICC T20 World Cup 2021.

IPL’s comeback is a welcome one for the broadcaster Disney Star India, advertisers, and agencies who were left twiddling their thumbs when a decision was taken to pull down the curtains on the tournament because of the negative Covid-19 sentiments and burgeoning deaths due to the pandemic in India.

Advertisers – who had signed for the IPL which was to end this month – were given the first right of refusal to their deals with Disney Star India when the tournament’s recommencement dates would be announced.