‘Only window for IPL is in place of T20 Cup’

Indian board official sees a chance if ICC showpiece dates are changed

The only ‘realistic’ window to host the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League, according to a senior official of the Indian cricket board, will be between October and November if the T20 World

Cup in Australia cannot be held as per schedule.

“If the World T20 is held in Australia as per schedule (October 18 to November 15), then it will be almost impossible to find a window for the IPL, which needs around seven weeks. If the ICC reschedules the World Cup and the coronavirus pandemic comes under control by that time, then there is a possibility of hosting the IPL this year,’’ said Arun Dhumal, the treasurer of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

The league, the biggest moneyspinner for the Indian board for over a decade now, was ‘‘indefinitely postponed’’ when the Indian government decided to extend the lockdown for the second time from April 15 onwards.

Travel restrictions

Speaking to Gulf News over telephone, the BCCI official said: ‘‘The facilities opened up is expected to start sporting activities around the country at a low key level, including allowing cricketers to resume outdoor practice with safety protocol. However, with the travel restrictions still very much in place and the monsoons due to hit the country next month, any plan to host the IPL so soon is completely unfounded.’’

A news agency report yesterday said that the BCCI is eyeing a window from September 25 to November 1, which is again dependant on the dates of World T20, alongwith the other international commitments for India during the month of September to November. The Asia Cup, scheduled to be held in September (the venue of which is yet to be announced but the UAE appears to be the only logical choice), will consume nearly three weeks — following which England are due to visit India for a white ball series in September.