In what comes as a big disappointment to the BCCI, they are likely to lose the hosting rights of T20 World Cup 2021 after the IPL 2021 was indefinitely postponed earlier in the day. Two new cases emerged in two different camps and two different bio-bubbles on Tuesday morning after which the board unanimously decided to postpone the season indefinitely. After Varun Chakravarty and Sandeep Warrier tested positive in the KKR camp, three CSK members as well tested positive. On Tuesday, May 4, fresh positive cases emerged from the DC and SRH camp which forced the season to be suspended as of now.
However, India is now staring at losing the hosting rights of the showpiece event as the coronavirus situation in the country continues to worsen with each passing day.
Also Read: Ian Chappell Shares Thought On India Hosting T20 World Cup Amid COVID19 Crisis
As per a report in Pakistan’s leading daily Dawn, The ICC is in contact with the Emirates Cricket Board over moving the T20 World Cup 2021 from India to the UAE. The report states that both BCCI and ICC are convinced that the tournament which is scheduled to be staged in October is unlikely to be conducted in India due to the COVID-19 crisis.
UAE Likely To Host T20 World Cup
“The ICC is in contact with the Emirates Cricket Board regarding hosting of the ICC World T20 in the UAE and we can say that almost 80 to 90 percent matter has been discussed and issues sorted out. Now the ICC and the BCCI are in final stage of discussion about shifting the mega event to the UAE and an announcement to this effect is likely to be made in the next two weeks.” a source was quoted as saying by Dawn.
The T20 World Cup is slated to be played out in October later this year. With the growth in the number of COVID cases and the IPL being postponed, the mega event is likely to be moved to the UAE where IPL 2020 was conducted smoothly last year.
Also Read: BCCI To Keep UAE As Back Up Option For T20 World Cup 2021