BCCI confirms: IPL 2021 has been moved to UAE
The 2021 Indian Premier League has been suspended indefinitely due to multiple breaches in the team bubble owing to COVID. Meanwhile, it is set to be played in the United Arab Emirates, with the schedule yet to be announced.
FollowThe Indian Premier League 2021 was suspended this month following multiple COVID breaches in the team bubbles. However, the competition remainder will be shifted to the United Arab Emirates, as confirmed by the vice-president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, Rajeev Shukla.
This month, the tournament suffered a COVID scare after the bubbles of three teams were breached, with some of the participating members testing positive. Kolkata Knight Riders, Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Capitals and Sunrisers Hyderabad were the three teams affected by the same, leading to the tournament being indefinitely postponed.
"IPL has been moved to UAE for this season," he told ANI. It would be the third time that the tournament would be played in the UAE after 2013 and 2020, while the competition is likely to be completed with a 25-day window.
"The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Saturday announced to complete the remaining matches of VIVO Indian Premier League 2021 season in the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E) 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," the BCCI said in a statement.
The BCCI held a Special General Meeting on Saturday virtually, as it discussed plenty of topics, including IPL 2021 and hosting the ICC World T20 2021. The board would also take a call on the availability of the overseas players for the tournament, owing to their preparations for the WT20. At the same time, BCCI would also seek some time for the International Cricket Council during its meet on June 1.
At the same time, BCCI would also seek some time for the International Cricket Council during its meet on June 1. "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," BCCI's statement added.
"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," a source quoted to ANI.
"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 added upon being asked on the status of the WT20.
Meanwhile, the schedule for the IPL 2021 remainder would be announced in due course. The matches would once again be held across three venues (Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah). Also, the double-headers could be increased to adjust all the games on the time and window available, to allow the players enough recovery and training time for the WT20.
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