The fourteenth edition of IPL 2021 will be back in action from 19th September to host its remaining matches. The yearly nerve-racking tournament that keeps the media, cricketers and the fans glued to their television sets was brought to a sudden halt due to increasing Covid-19 concerns. The tournament that was previously being hosted in March was postponed for an indefinite period. An unfortunate breach of the biosecure bubble led to a Covid-19 outbreak in one of the camps.
However, sufficient measures have been taken to keep the game’s momentum going, which was previously stalled.
IPL Resumption
The second phase of the fourteenth edition of the Indian Premier League will kick start in UAE from 19th September and will continue till October 15th. The BCCI is not yet confident enough to organize the second phase of the Indian Premier League owing to the lives that were endangered the previous time. UAE, much like the previous season, will host the rest of this season’s IPL in its usual locations. Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai will be the three stadiums where the matches will be played. The thirteenth edition that was hosted entirely in UAE resulted in massive success. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will look forward to that in this second phase as well.
Availability Of Overseas Players
Amidst the tight ICC cricketing schedule, it has been quite a struggle for the Board of Control for Cricket (BCCI) to arrange this second phase of the Indian Premier League. This has further increased difficulties for the availability of overseas players in the tournament. The overseas players have been the marquee signings of some teams and have played a massive role in upgrading the team’s performance. The unavailability of such players will lead to a slump in their form or playing strategies.
The England tour of Bangladesh has been scheduled for September and October. However, it seems highly improbable that the tour will take place. The Englishmen were supposed to travel to Bangladesh for three ODIs and three T20s. The final verdict on this tour will be announced by the English Cricket Board (ECB) in a week’s time.
The South African side is also set to travel to Sri Lanka for another series. It will consist of three ODIs and three T20s. Although the series ends on 12th September, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is not sure if the UAE cricketing association will allow a bubble to bubble transfer of South African players from Sri Lanka. If they are not allowed them it would mean the players have to quarantine themselves and by then the tournament will almost reach its end.
BCCI in talk with ECB
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officials have arranged meetings with other international cricketing bodies asked them for the availability of foreign players. To which the England and Wales Board (ECB) have said that they would like their players to available for international cricket. Thus an air of uncertainty still prevails regarding the foreign player’s situation. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will try its level best to bring overseas talents into the game.
T20 World Cup News
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) meeting also discussed the possible venues of hosting the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) who were the previous arrangers of the multi-team tournament will now have to opt for another location to host the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Since India cannot host the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup due to the increased spread of Covid-19 during IPL; they have come up with a few names. The Oman Cricket Academy Ground in Muscat has been taken into consideration as one of the hosts of the tournament. However, Oman will not be the host of the entire session. Six Group B matches could be played in Muscat. The final decision will be taken by the BCCI in India who is still the decision-making body in this.
Moreover, Oman has qualified for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup along with Bangladesh, Scotland, and Papua New Guinea.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary has mentioned that it will be delighted to see Oman be host to the T20 World Cup. Their main motive is to promote and encourage the associate nations to play a big role in the tournament; and also to promote the game into obscure parts of Asia.
Conclusion
This is guaranteed that IPL will be returning and will once again bring the same competitiveness and joy amongst the players, fans, and everyone else.
