The future of the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League hangs by the wire since the outbreak of the coronavirus. BCCI is currently awaiting ICC’s decision on the T20 World Cup to decide on their future. Recent reports suggest that IPL 2020 can move out of India. After Sri Lanka and UAE, New Zealand have also joined hands in the race to host IPL 2020.
Meanwhile, the 13th season of the T20 blitz was scheduled to commence from March 29. However, BCCI had to postpone it to April 14 after the first lockdown. And with no signs of improvement and the lockdown extended, the Sourav Ganguly-led panel had to defer the tournament for an indefinite period.
New Zealand offer to host IPL 2020
Since then, it has been heard that IPL 2020 might go out of India considering the spike in the positive cases in India. Sri Lanka and UAE have already confirmed their proposal to host the event. And now, New Zealand have also thrown their hat in the ring expressing their desire to host IPL 2020.
“Staging the event in India has to be the first choice but in case it is not safe to have it, then we will look at the overseas options. After UAE and Sri Lanka, New Zealand has also offered to host the IPL,” a senior BCCI official told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
“We will sit down with all stakeholders (broadcaster, teams, etc) and take a call. The safety of the players is paramount. There will be no compromise on that,” the official said.
Meanwhile, New Zealand are one of the few COVID-19 free countries in the world. However, things are unlikely to materialise considering the time difference. India has a seven and half hour time difference and even if the game starts at 12:30 pm in the afternoon, the maximum people will miss the action.
