The rest of the 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) reportedly begins on September 19 in the UAE with the final taking place on October 15 as well. Notably, the talks have been going on between BCCI and Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) with Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah set to host the remaining IPL matches for the second year on a trot.
According to ANI, BCCI was keen on finishing the 2021 edition in a 25-day window as well. “The discussions went really well and with ECB already giving us the oral nod to host the event ahead of the BCCI SGM, it was about closing the deal over the last week. The first game after the season resumes will be held on September 19 while we will have the final on October 15. The BCCI was always keen on a 25-day window to finish the remaining matches,” the BCCI official told ANI.
Notably, the cash-rich IPL got suspended earlier in May after several players and support staff got affected by the deadly virus despite being in the bio-bubble. However, with the league resumes in the September-October window, chances of foreign players featuring in the game have been reduced as well. While England players wouldn’t be featured in the leagues as per the news, Australia speedster Pat Cummins too wouldn’t take part in the rest of the games as well. However, the board is currently in talks about the availability of overseas players for the tournament.
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“The discussions have started and we are keeping fingers crossed that the foreign players will be mostly available. If a couple of them do not manage to turn up, we shall then decide on the future course of action. But keeping fingers crossed for now and hoping to have an action-packed end to the IPL 2021 in UAE,” the official further added.
“What we were made aware after the BCCI SGM is that the board will be speaking to the foreign boards and check on the availability of the foreign cricketers. We are confident that the BCCI will find the best possible solution and honestly it is a matter of the BCCI officials speaking to the respective board officials, so we should wait to hear from the board on this,” he expressed.
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“Yes, if we do end up missing some of the foreign stars, that is an area which would need some attention when it comes to picking replacements as the foreign players are also integral to the teams. Team balance can go for a toss, so keeping fingers crossed on that one,” the franchise official concluded.
