Mumbai: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to resume the remainder of the suspended edition of the 14th Indian Premier League (IPL) on 19 September in the United Arab Emirates. According to a media report, the final match will be played on 15 October- the day India will be celebrating Dussehra this year.
BCCI had earlier announced that the IPL 2021 will be scheduled in Dubai, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi, in wake of the ongoing health crisis in the country. The 14th edition of the immensely popular cricket league that began on 9 April was suspended mid-way on 4 May after several cricketers including team staff tested positive for Covid-19. Total 29 out of the 60 games have been played so far, while 31 matches remain in the current season.
"The discussions went well, and with the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) already giving us the oral nod to host the event ahead of the BCCI SGM, it was about closing the deal over the last week. The first game after the season resumes will be held on 19 September, while we have the final on 15 October. The BCCI was always keen on a 25-day window to finish the remaining matches," reported ANI quoting a senior BCCI official.
The officials also added that discussions are progressing steadily to ensure the availability of foreign players for the tournament.
"BCCI will talk to the foreign boards and check on the availability of foreign cricketers. We are confident that BCCI will find the best possible solution. And honestly, it is a matter of the BCCI officials speaking to the respective board officials. So we have to wait to hear from the board on this," added the official.
IPL 2020 was played in the United Arab Emirates last September when the world braved the first onslaught of the deadly pandemic.
The apex cricket body in India had earlier revealed that the governing body will incur a loss of Rs 2,500 crore if the suspended IPL 2021 is called off for this year. "If we fail to complete the IPL, the loss will be close to Rs 2500 crore ($340 million approximately). That is going by early estimates," BCCI president Sourav Ganguly had told The Telegraph.
