RCB would be happy if IPL 2020 happens outside India: Simon Katich

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Thursday announced that it would be suspending the 2020 edition of the Indian Premier League until further notice. The call was made after the board discussed with the stakeholders and franchises of the league. According to the update given by the board, the tournament will only be held when the COVID-19 crisis is dealt with. Royal Challengers Bangalore coach and former Australian batsman Simon Katich opened up in an interview about the possibility of the league happening.

When asked about the possible chances of IPL taking place in any foreign locations such as Australia, Katich seemed to go with the suggestion. The RCB head coach mentioned that if the tournament is played in Australia, his team would actually like it. He pointed out that a lot of players on his side are from South Africa or Australia, they would love to play in Australian pitches.

We’d be very happy: Simon Katich

“Whether it would be in Australia (or elsewhere), that’s an interesting topic of conversation. There would be a few teams – us in particular at RCB, we’d be very happy for it to be played abroad because a number of our overseas players are Australians and South Africans, who really would enjoy these conditions in Australia,” Katich said while speaking to SEN Radio.”It would be interesting to see if that would eventuate but obviously it’s one of many scenarios that’s being discussed.”

Simon Katich also pointed out that when the IPL is played, there are a number of people who watch the tournament. The numbers are so huge that BCCI can think of having the matches behind closed doors. He also said that there are several health regulations which are needed to be maintained in that kind of situation.

“Because of the number of eyeballs that are on the IPL in India when it’s on in April and May, it is a scenario where it is potentially still very commercially viable being played with empty stadiums, so that’s something no doubt they’ll be weighing up,” Katich said. “In the past, there’s been talk of rating figures of 80 million people watching games. At the same time, there’s obviously a lot of health regulations that need to be followed to make sure that no-one’s endangered, whether that’s the public or the players and support staff.”