BCCI to get in touch with foreign boards regarding player availability in IPL and future of T20 World Cup

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) finally held its proposed virtual Special General Meeting (SGM) on Saturday, May 29, and it was confirmed by the officials that the remainder of the 14^th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) will be conducted in the UAE in the September-October window.

In the same meeting, the officials also touched upon the points regarding the availability of foreign players and the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup scheduled to be held from October. The fate of the global event is not decided yet as the ICC will give a verdict to it for the same on June 1. Currently, India are set to host it but due to the second wave of COVID-19, India may lose it out to UAE.

A source in the know of developments in the meeting said, the BCCI in all likelihood will go with the remainder of 31 IPL games with a 25-day window, as reported by the Hindustan Times.

“There have been talks with the Emriates Cricket Board (ECB) and they are happy to host the remaining IPL in Dubai, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi like last time. The BCCI will now speak to the foreign boards to decide on the availability of the foreign players. While the Australian players may be available, there are some questions over availability of the England and New Zealand players, we will see how that works out. W are looking at a 25-day window and that is on,” the source said.

BCCI officials confident of staging T20 World Cup in India

Regarding the hosting of the showpiece event, the source added that it will seek permission from ICC till June end or July first week, as the global event is still five months away. The BCCI is optimistic about hosting it in India and they feel the COVID-19 situation in India will subside by then.

“There is still close to four and half months and we are confident things will change in that space of time with respect to COVID-19. The BCCI will request the ICC for time till the end of June or the start of July to take a final call on the matter,” the source explained