IPL 2021: Mumbai and Ahmedabad likely to host the entire season

The 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is approaching faster than ever. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is charting out the plans to host the entire season in India this time in a bio-secure bubble. The IPL 2020 was played in the UAE as the COVID-19 situation in India was pretty serious at that point in time. However, this time around, the board seems pretty confident.

But the threat still remains and limited venues are likely to get a chance to host the T20 extravaganza. According to the recent reports, Mumbai and Ahmedabad are emerging as favourites to play hosts to IPL 2021. Mumbai boasts of three stadiums in the city and could be chosen to play the league stage while the renovated Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad is the favourite to host the playoffs.

“At the moment there are discussions to host the league matches in four stadia in Mumbai — Bradbourne Stadium, Wankhede Stadium, D.Y. Patil Stadium and the Reliance Cricket Stadium. The play-offs are expected to be held in the refurbished Sardar Patel Stadium in Motera,” the official close to the developments was quoted as saying by News18.

IPL start date yet to be finalised

The official, however, was quick to clarify that nothing has been finalised in terms of venues while also stating that the tournament would start mostly in the second week of April. “However, this is yet to be made official. The tournament is likely to be hosted either in mid-April or the second week of April,” he added.

BCCI has successfully conducted Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in a bio-bubble and the Vijay Hazare Trophy is currently in progress. Even the mini-auction in Chennai was organised successfully. The Test series between India and England is currently in progress even as both the teams are scheduled to face each other in five-match T20I series and three One-Day Internationals.

The BCCI is expected to make an announcement soon and also release the schedule for IPL 2021 as hardly a couple of months are left for the season to commence.