T20 World Cup could be pushed to 2021 with IPL taking its slot: McCullum

Former New Zealand skipper and IPL franchise coach Brendon McCullum on Wednesday advocated for this year's men's T20 World Cup could be postponed to early next year with a rescheduled cash-rich league taking its slot.

As far as 2021 women's ODI world Cup pushed further back.

The COVID-19 pandemic has halted all global sporting activities, jeopardising the 2020 T20 World Cup, scheduled in Australia from October 18-November 15 and also "indefinitely" suspending the 13th IPL, which was slated to begin in March.

Besides, there is also the women's ODI World Cup scheduled in New Zealand in February, 2021.

McCullum said he neither sees the T20 World Cup happening without crowd nor does he believe that teams from 16 nations will be able to travel to Australia in the wake of the travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has infected more than 2.5 million people globally.

"I think the IPL will try and target that October window and the T20 World Cup will get pushed back," McCullum told Sky Cricket Podcast. It must be mentioned that McCullum is the coach of IPL side Kolkata Knight Riders.

If IPL doesn't happen, none of the players or support staff get paid.

"That may mean the Women's World Cup gets pushed back but hopefully we get to see all three tournaments operate."
"The ICC and world cricket need crowds to operate but India can probably sustain things commercially behind closed doors because they are going to get so many eyeballs."
"They would hate to see a T20 World Cup under lockdown where no one could go and watch and the atmosphere would probably be a little bit less."