Reports: IPL 2021 likely to start from April 11

The 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), if reports are to be believed, is set to start on April 11 after the conclusion of a women’s one-day tournament and the Vijay Hazare Trophy. As per sources privy to the development, the final would be held on either June 5 or June 6.

The final decision on the dates will be taken by the IPL Governing Council. As per an official in the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), giving the players enough rest has been kept as a priority.

“The final decision will be taken by IPL GC but 11th April is the tentative date to start IPL 2021. The series against England finishes in March and players will get a good break with 11th April start for IPL 14th,” the BCCI official was quoted as saying to The Times of India (TOI).

BCCI looking to conduct the IPL in India

India’s home series against England is set to get underway on February 5 with the opening Test at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The series is scheduled to end on March 28 and if the IPL starts on April 11, the players would be getting around two weeks to get refreshed.

Arun Dhumal, who is on the IPL GC, said that the board is confident of hosting the 2021 edition in India itself. Last season, the IPL had to be shifted out of India to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

“We are working on having the IPL in India and we are hopeful that we would be able to organize it. We are not even thinking of a back-up also at this point in time, we are wanting to do it here,” he stated.

The auction for the 2021 IPL is scheduled to take place on February 18 in Chennai after a lot of deliberations. The BCCI has been scratching its head for the upcoming season ever since the previous edition ended on November 10.

Earlier in January, cricket in India made its comeback after almost a year with the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy. The Ranji Trophy, however, has been scrapped for the ongoing season.