On Friday, the Indian Premier League (IPL) governing council chairman, Brijesh Patel revealed that IPL 2020 will be taking place on all 3 venues in the United Arab Emirates — Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah from September 19 to November 8, but they will still require the approval of the Indian government. The call to allow spectators at the venues, even in limited numbers, will depend on the UAE government, Brijesh Patel said.

IPL 2020 was postponed from March 29 due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. However, after the postponement of the T20 World Cup, later this year by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) pushed the Asia Cup, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) got a window to host the IPL.

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The decision to host the IPL in the UAE has been taken due to the rising cases of the coronavirus pandemic in India. Notably, the UAE had hosted the first leg of the IPL in 2014 as it was moved out of India due to the Assembly Elections in the country.

Speaking about the 13th edition of the IPL to India Today, Brijesh Patel said, “The IPL will be held from September 19 to November 8. It’s official. The announcement will be made today. The Governing Council meeting will happen within a week,” Patel said. “All three venues (in the UAE) will be hosting the tournament.”

While reports suggest players can be expected to leave for the UAE by August 20, Brijesh Patel said that the call will be taken by the franchises to decide where the players would be training ahead of the September 19 start. United Arab Emirates Cricket Board general manager Mubashir Usmani had told The Telegraph that the organizers will be considering allowing crowds if IPL 2020 is being held in the country.

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Responding to the reports, Patel said the UAE government will be taking the final call on whether or not to have crowds at the venues.