Reports: Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament likely to take place in January before IPL 2021 auction

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), after successfully organising the Indian Premier League (IPL), is now planning to stage the domestic cricket in the country. Though IPL 2020 took place in the UAE due to the surge in COVID-19 cases in India, the BCCI President Sourav Ganguly recently confirmed that the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 trophy and Ranji Trophy will take place in India at any cost.

It has been learnt now that the T20 tournament is likely to take place before Ranji Trophy keeping in mind the IPL 2021 auction. Accordingly, the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy might happen in January and the BCCI has also reportedly sent its tentative proposal to some of the state associations in terms of creating a bio-secure environment and also the hotels for the players to stay.

“Yes, the IPL auctions this year will be important for at least two to three teams which is weak on Indian talent. For their talent scouts, IPL will be an absolute necessity. So its only logical that Mushtaq Ali happens before Ranji Trophy,” the BCCI official was quoted as saying by Scroll. The board is looking for at least 10 state associations with at least three grounds and five-star hotels at a specific distance to organise the tournament.

“There are at least 10 state units that will be approached and asked if they can create bio-secure environment. The BCCI feels that if six out of 10 units give a positive response, then Mushtaq Ali can be completed in a two week window and Ranji Trophy can start,” the official added.

CAB one of the potential hosts

Cricket Association of Bengal has emerged as one of the potential hosts for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy with three grounds – Eden Gardens, JU (Salt Lake) and Kalyani – available. People in the know of developments reckon that the six-team inaugural T20 League will indicate how effective a bio-secure environment CAB can create.

“The CAB had zeroed in on two hotels – Novotel and Hyatt for keeping the six teams in bio-secure environment. However Hyatt said that it will be difficult for them to provide exclusive hotel staff (room service and housekeeping) for bio-bubble. So CAB has booked 80 rooms for six teams and two complete floors to create a bio-bubble,” a senior CAB official said.