Badale: Small chance of IPL matches in the UK or UAE
THERE is a “small possibility” that the remainder of the suspended Indian Premier League (IPL) season can be played in the UK or the Middle East later this year, Rajasthan Royals owner Manoj Badale said.
The popular Twenty20 tournament was suspended indefinitely earlier this month after several players and staff tested positive for Covid-19 amid a devastating second wave of coronavirus cases in the country.
The pandemic had also forced the Indian cricket board to move the 2020 edition of the IPL to the United Arab Emirates last year, with matches played between September and November.
Badale said finding space on the calendar would be the biggest obstacle, with India set to host the T20 World Cup in October.
“There is a possibility, a small one, that in September there might be something in the UK or possibly something in the Middle East, on either side of the T20 World Cup but it’s going to be a real challenge,” Badale said.
“In my opinion, the players are already playing too much cricket. The calendars are incredibly packed, particularly this year after Covid. Boards from around the world are trying to get as many competitions and as many Tests as possible.”
Warwickshire, Surrey and the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) have offered to host the IPL’s remaining 31 games in September.
Sourav Ganguly, head of the Indian board, said recently that Covid-19 restrictions meant it was impossible to stage the games in India, where the number of cases have crossed 25
million.