Remainder of IPL 2021 to be held in the UAE in Sep-Oct, says BCCI

At its virtual Special General Meeting on Saturday, BCCI also decided to seek more time from ICC to take 'appropriate call' on hosting T20 World Cup

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Saturday announced it will complete the remaining matches of Indian Premier League 2021 season in the United Arab Emirates considering the monsoon season in India in the months of September-October this year.

The decision was taken at a Special General Meeting (SGM) held virtually, where members unanimously agreed to resume IPL, said BCCI secretary Jay Shah.

"The BCCI SGM further authorised the 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," Shah further said.

The current season of IPL has been suspended as coronavirus second wave started raging across the country and the teams too reported a few infections. It may be recalled that the previous season was held in the UAE in its entirety. 

While it has been decided that the board will discuss the availability of foreign players with the respective boards with the September-October window in mind, the non-availability of foreign players would not be a deal-breaker for the conduct of the remaining part of the IPL, ANI reporter earlier on Saturday. For the T20 World Cup, it was decided that the Indian board will seek time from the ICC when the international body has a meeting on June 1.

Speaking to ANI, a source in the know of developments in the meeting said the BCCI will go ahead with organising the IPL in the UAE with an aim to have a 25-day window for the completion of the 14th edition of the league.

"There have been talks with the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) and they are happy to host the remaining IPL in Dubai, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi like last time. The BCCI will now speak to the foreign boards to decide on the availability of the foreign players. While the Australian players may be available, there are some questions over the availability of the England and New Zealand players, we will see how that works out. We are looking at a 25-day window and that is on," the source said.

With regards to the T20 World Cup, the source said it was unanimously decided that with more than four months left for the showpiece event, the BCCI will propose to the ICC to give the body time till the end of June or the beginning of July to take a call on hosting the tournament.

"There is still close to four and a half months and we are confident things will change in that space of time with respect to COVID-19. The BCCI will request the ICC for time till the end of June or the start of July to take a final call on the matter," the source explained.

As for the tax exemption from the government, the board is confident of positive talks. "We are in talks with the government and talks have made some headway which is crucial for the conduct of the tournament in India," the source said.

"The SGM approved the decision to hold the remaining matches of IPL between September and October. The dates will be intimated later," a senior state association member, who was present in the meeting, told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

"In September, it's the time for retreating monsoon in India. Also the fact that three grounds in the UAE makes it easier as we had seen in 2020."

The likely dates will be between September 18 and October 10.

He said all the members want the T20 World Cup to be held in India in last week of October but no decision can be taken right now.

"The BCCI representatives -- president Sourav Ganguly and secretary Jay Shah -- will be seeking time till July 1 after which another SGM will be held to decide on whether we would go ahead with hosting of World T20.

"Right now, the health situation in the country doesn't allow us to take any final decision."

The senior state association member said there is also a tax rebate issue which is still an ongoing process.

"ICC wants tax waivers but we have to abide by government guidelines. But a World T20 in India means that all the stakeholders happen to gain. But sitting in May, you can't predict the health emergency in October. So we need some time," he said.