Whoever is not available, it is not going to stop us from hosting the IPL: Rajeev Shukla

The remaining season of the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is all set to be hosted in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in September and October. However, the non-participation of many overseas players can become a cause of worry for the IPL franchises. It is speculated that many cricket boards across the globe aren’t keen on providing their players with a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to participate in the T20 league.   

This can be done as almost all the national teams have a jam-packed cricket calendar for 2021. Also, the cricket boards want to keep their players fresh for the T20 World Cup, scheduled in India in October and November 2021. With the franchises and the fans worried regarding the participation of overseas players, BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla confirmed the league will go ahead as per the plan. 

Shukla asserted that BCCI has discussed the issue regarding the foreign players but their main focus is on completing the competition. Also, the vice-president assured that all the teams will be provided with an opportunity to replace the players who will be unavailable. 

“We have discussed that [foreign players] issue also. Our main focus is on completing this edition of the IPL. It should not be left halfway through. So, whichever foreign players are available is fine. Whoever is not available, it is not going to stop us from hosting the tournament.

“The Indian players are there, foreign players are there, but few foreign players will not be available. As I said, we have to complete our tournament. So the franchises will definitely look for other players. Whoever is available, we are going to have the tournament with them. That’s our policy,” Rajeev Shukla told Khaleej Times.

There’s a weather problem in England as it rains a lot: Rajeev Shukla

Earlier, it was speculated that the Indian board is planning to conduct the remainder of IPL 2021 in England. This would have made things a little easy for BCCI as Team India will be there in the United Kingdom (UK) till September 14 as they will face England in the five-match Test series. Speaking about the same, Shukla revealed that the only problem with England was their weather conditions. 

“They are all very happy. From day one, they have been backing the UAE. There were some media reports about England [hosting the remaining matches], but there’s a weather problem in England where it rains a lot,” Shukla, who held the post of IPL chairman, concluded.