BCCI treasurer Arun Dhumal 'hopeful' about having crowds in IPL 2021; confirms 10 teams for 2022 season

The Indian Premier League 2021’s second phase is all set to begin on September 19 in the United Arab Emirates. After being shifted to the middle east, there were speculations on the way the tournament will be hosted. The last time around in 2020, the tournament was entirely played behind closed doors. However, for the second leg of 2021, there are some hopes of having crowds in. 

Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) treasurer Arun Dhumal has suggested that the Indian board is trying to get crowds in. He also noted that the decision is with the UAE government and the board wouldn’t want to do anything that can compromise the safety of the players. 

Recently, it was speculated that the UAE government will allow 60 percent crowds in the stadiums for the IPL 2021. It should also be noted that the country will host the ICC T20 World Cup right after the IPL is over. The good thing about the UAE at this moment is that several people are vaccinated, which increases the chances of the government to allow crowds. 

“We are working on that and we are hoping that the UAE government will allow the crowd this time since everyone is vaccinated there. Let’s see what happens. Hopefully, fans will be allowed but not at the cost of players’ or peoples’ safety — that is more important. Rest is on the UAE government to decide,” Dhumal was quoted as saying by Latestly.com

Most likely there will be 10 teams in IPL 2022: Arun Dhumal

Dhumal further confirmed the developments regarding increasing the number of teams for the next season of the IPL. The 2022 IPL will have two new teams participating in the competition, Dhumal confirmed. The league has previously had 10 teams for a single season in 2011, but eventually went back to the eight-team format after persisting with a nine-team format for the 2012 and 2013 seasons. 

“Everybody is looking up to the IPL now; we believe it will be an exciting tournament in UAE. This would be the last season of IPL with eight teams. Most likely there will be 10 teams next time. We are working on that too,” he added.