BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla was one of the decision-makers in the SGM meeting where the decision of the IPL 2021 second half was taken. The top BCCI officials unanimously decider to move the second phase of the tournament to the UAE. The IPL 2021. As per reports in InsideSport, the second half of IPL 2021 will resume from September 17 in the UAE. The final will be played on October 10. The BCCI is yet to announce the schedule of the remaining games.
However, one of the big concerns of this window is the unavailability of overseas players. Boards like the ECB and Cricket Australia have already said that they are not going to allow their to come back for the remaining season. Bangladesh Cricket Board have also denied giving Shakib Al Hasan the NOC for the same.
Meanwhile, Shukla was adamant about completing the remainder of the season in the announced window. He further said that the BCCI will complete the season despite the absence of key overseas players and the franchises will have to deal with it.
Our Main Focus Is Completing This Edition Of IPL: Rajeev Shukla
“We will be having discussions with the cricket board here and the other authorities. And accordingly the schedule will be made, so the tournament happens in a very smooth manner as it happened here last year. We have discussed that (foreign players) issue also. Our main focus is on completing this edition of the IPL. It should not be left halfway through. So, whichever foreign players are available is fine. Whoever is not available, it is not going to stop us from hosting the tournament. So the franchises will definitely look for other players. Whoever is available, we are going to have the tournament with them. That’s our policy,” Shukla said to Khaleej Times.
Rajeev Shukla further said that he has been in talks with the Emirates Cricket Board and the UAE government over the entry of fans in the stadiums. He said that the BCCI was ready to follow the guidelines stated for COVID-19 and have no problems adhering to the rules. This also means that the games might be played behind closed doors.
“The only issue is about the spectators, whether they will allow the spectators or not. So we will talk to them about that. We will go by whatever UAE authorities decide. If they say it’s with spectators, and certain percentage of spectators, we are fine. Or if they say without spectators, that is also fine with us. There is no problem” Shukla said.
Also Read: IPL 2021, UAE Leg: 3 Players Who Can Lead KKR In Eoin Morgan’s Absence
