The Indian Premier League (IPL) is the most prominent T20 league in the world. 2020 has been a difficult year and at one stage it looked as if IPL will not take place this year due to COVID-19 pandemic. This would have been a major financial blow to the BCCI.
According to reports if the BCCI would fail to conduct the IPL this year they would face an estimated loss of whopping 4000 crores. They would have also had to return INR 2,000 crores or prolong the contracts of the various media rights holder, title and different sponsors for another year.
BCCI was in a peculiar situation in the last few months due to the uncertainty regarding the cash-rich league. The IPL was earlier scheduled to begin on 29 march at Wankhade Stadium in Mumbai. However, BCCI had to suspend all cricketing activities due to the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic.
IPL cancellation would have resulted in 4000 crore loss – BCCI
“Not conducting IPL means a straight blow of Rs 4,000 crore to the board’s topline. We have already received advances of close to Rs 2,000 crore. Not delivering IPL will mean either we will have to give it back or extend all the contracts by one year. Both the options are not in the favour of the board,” a senior BCCI official was quoted as saying by the Economic Times.
Meanwhile, after ICC decided to postpone the T20 world cup, BCCI finally got a full-fledged window for the IPL. Meanwhile, BCCI was hopeful right from the start to host at least a shortened IPL. The official added a cancellation would have resulted in massive losses.
“If we would have announced the cancellation, Star would ask for a refund and matter would have reached the courts. Also, we were hopeful that the ICC will push the T20 World Cup and a window will be available. And nobody could foresee when the pandemic would subside. But now, we have a real chance for IPL 13 to materialise,” an official added.
Hence the 13th edition of the IPL is all set to take place later this year in UAE. IPL 2020 will take place between September 19- November 8. The franchises are also likely to depart for the United Arab Emirates on August 20. Now everyone is awaiting the complete schedule of the IPL which will be out in a couple of days after the IPL governing council meets.