IPL 2020 can target October window and T20 World Cup could be pushed to 2021: Brendon McCullum

Kolkata Knight Riders last year announced that Brendon McCullum would be taking over the role of Head coach for the franchise for the IPL 2020. Since then, the former player of the franchise has been involved with the IPL. However, with the current situation of COVID-19 crisis, McCullum’s first outing as a coach has been delayed. In this, he has come up with a solution of having the IPL and the ICC men’s T20 World Cup without any clash.

Brendon McCullum said that he thinks that IPL will take place in the month of October and the T20 World Cup will get pushed back. He also pointed out that this move would also result in changing the timing of 2021 Women’s World Cup. That tournament will be played in New Zealand in February.

The former Kiwi captain also said that he hopes all three tournaments, two men’s T20 World Cups in 2020 and 2021 along with the women’s World Cup take place smoothly.

“I think the IPL will try and target that October window and the T20 World Cup will get pushed back,” McCullum said. “That may mean the Women’s World Cup gets pushed back but hopefully we get to see all three tournaments operate”, the former New Zealand skipper said as quoted by NDTV Sports.

‘ICC and world cricket need crowds to operate’: Brendon McCullum

The KKR head coach also noted that organizing an ICC event will be difficult for Australia post the global pandemic. He stated that having 16 teams come in and play in Australia is difficult. Additionally, playing it without the crowds would hurt ICC financially.

“For Australia to move 16 international teams plus all of their support staff and then broadcasters, seems a bridge too far. I can’t see them playing the T20 World Cup behind closed doors either,” McCullum said. “The ICC and world cricket need crowds to operate but India can probably sustain things commercially behind closed doors because they are going to get so many eyeballs.”

McCullum’s point is quite reasonable. ICC’s revenues depend a lot on ticket sales of a world event. If the tournament is played behind the closed door, it could be a substantial loss for ICC. The former wicket-keeper said that having the World Cup in early 2021 would be a better option. He also said that as the broadcasters of IPL are in India only, it will easier to pull off the tournament.

“There may be a window a bit later in the new year of 2021 which could then open up a window for the IPL (in October and November). You’d have to move some overseas players for the IPL but with the broadcasters based in India, it is a lot easier to pull it all together”, McCullum said.