Reports: BCCI shortlists Mumbai and UAE as possible venues for IPL 2020

The fate of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is still not clear this year due to the pandemic. But with the other sports and international cricket resuming, the BCCI is pondering to use the September-November window to stage the tournament. Though the announcement is yet to come, the T20 World Cup scheduled to take place in Australia is set to be postponed.

Also, as far as the venues are concerned, UAE is emerged as the top contender to host the IPL if the Coronavirus isn’t curbed in India by September. Sri Lanka and New Zealand had also expressed interest in hosting the cash-rich league. But if the reports are to be believed, the BCCI is still looking at possible options to make it happen in India and the other option would be the UAE.

Mumbai has three stadiums, Wankhede, Cricket Club of India (Brabourne) and DY Patil, within touching distance and it is one city where the IPL can take place this year. A top official privy to the developments has cleared that the marquee T20 leagues will definitely take place this year.

“The certain thing is that the IPL is all set to happen this year. The choice of venue will be taken into consideration after assessing the situation in the country. The UAE government is in touch with its Indian counterpart and if India can’t host the event, UAE will,” he said while speaking to Sportskeeda.

Sourav Ganguly also hinted at IPL being played outside India

Earlier, it was reported that the IPL might take place between September 26 and November 8 at a limited venues. Moreover, the BCCI President Sourav Ganguly also recently hinted that the T20 league could be moved outside India as the upcoming 3-4 months are tough for the country and the life will only return to normalcy after the COVID-19 vaccine is out.

“I think the next two-three-four months will be a little tough. We will just have to bear it, and by the end of the year or beginning of next year, life should be back to normal. I will wait for the vaccine to come out. Till then, yes, we will have to be a little more careful…we know what’s happening and we don’t want to fall sick. Saliva is an issue. Maybe once the vaccine comes out, just like any other illness, everything will be fine,” he had said.