The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) vice president Rajeev Shukla is confident to host the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2021 in India. The future of the global T20 event is in jeopardy in the wake of the second wave of COVID19 that wreaked havoc in the country.

BCCI and IPL Governing Council unanimously decided to postpone the Indian Premier League (IPL 2021) after a couple of bio-bubble breaches that resulted in cricketers contracting the deadly virus. The organisers halted the tournament putting the safety of the players and all individuals involved on top.

Our first choice to host T20 World Cup is India – Rajeev Shukla

Meanwhile, with the postponement of IPL 2021, dark clouds loom large on the future of the T20 World Cup. The BCCI during its Special General Meeting (SGM) has sought a one-month extension from the ICC to convey the final decision.

“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 said in a statement.

Rajiv Shukla, in a recent interview with Khaleej Times, said that the board is still upbeat about hosting the showpiece event in India.

“That issue also has been deliberated. Our first choice is India. So we will be seeking some time from the ICC, a month or so, to decide about it,” Shukla told Khaleej Times. “If towards the end of June or maybe, the first week of July, the situation is not good there (India), then obviously it (T20 World Cup) will come to the UAE,” he added.

UAE have emerged as the second possible venue after India considering BCCI successfully hosted IPL 2020 in the country inside a bio-bubble. This time also they have shifted the remainder of the tournament to the UAE scheduled to take place in September-October.