The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has zeroed in on the date for the resumption of the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2021) to be held in UAE. The first game on resumption will be played on September 19 while the final will be hosted on October 15.
Incidentally, the tournament was halted on May 4. BCCI and IPL Governing Council unanimously had decided to postpone the league on May 4 after a couple of COVID cases emerged in the bio-bubble. Few cricketers along with support staffs contracted the deadly virus which led the organizers to halt the tournament midway putting the safety of the players and all the stakeholders involved on top.
IPL 2021 to resume on September 19
Speaking to ANI, a BCCI official in the know of developments of the recent meetings between the BCCI and the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) said the discussions went well and the Indian board is confident that the remaining IPL games will be held successfully in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi.
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“The discussions went really well and with ECB already giving us the oral nod to host the event ahead of the BCCI SGM, it was about closing the deal over the last week. The first game after the season resumes will be held on September 19 while we will have the final on October 15. The BCCI was always keen on a 25-day window to finish the remaining matches,” the official said.
Many reports have suggested a handful of overseas cricketers are unlikely to travel to the UAE for the second half of IPL 2021. When asked about the situation with regards to the availability of the foreign players, the official said talks are on and the Indian board expects positive outcomes.
“The discussions have started and we are keeping fingers crossed that the foreign players will be mostly available. If a couple of them do not manage to turn up, we shall then decide on the future course of action. But keeping fingers crossed for now and hoping to have an action-packed end to the 14th edition in UAE,” the official said.