Here's why BCCI preponed the IPL 2020 schedule from September 26 to 19

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to host the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2020) from September 19 to November 8 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The board has reportedly preponed the cash-rich league from September 26 to September 19. Earlier reports suggested that the tournament would commence from September 26 with 60 matches to be hosted in 44 days.

The BCCI was keen on hosting the IPL this year as the cancellation of the league would have resulted in huge monetary losses to both the authorities and the franchises. IPL 2020 was possible only after the International Cricket Council (ICC) decided to postpone the T20 World Cup 2020.

The board finalized on preponing the tournament for a week as Virat Kohli and Co is scheduled to tour Australia for an ODI and Test series in December-January. The team would have to be quarantined for a period of 14 days in Australia as per the health guidelines in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

IPL 2020 was initially supposed to start from March 29

Also, the broadcasters were not happy with the 44 days league as it would have resulted in more afternoon matches which would have affected the visibility and ratings. Star bought the IPL broadcast rights for five years with the consolidated bid of Rs. 16,347 crore i.e it pays BCCI INR 3500 to INR 4000 crore every year.

“The Indian team will have a mandatory quarantine of 14 days as per the Australian government rules. A delay would have sent the plans haywire. The best part is that 51 days is not at all a curtailed period and broadcasters will be happy with a full seven-week window,” a BCCI official told Times Now on conditions of anonymity.

As per the original schedule, IPL 2020 was supposed to start from March 29 with the last league match on May 17. This means that the tournament had to feature five double-headers. However, the new schedule will now have around 12 double-headers which means two matches each on both Saturdays and Sundays.

The schedule of the IPL 2020 was also confirmed by chairman Brijesh Patel. “The GC will meet shortly but we have finalised the schedule. It will run from September 19 to November 8. We expect government approval to come through. It is a full 51-day IPL,” Patel said.