BCCI invites state officials to attend Qualifier 2, IPL final in 'ideal time to catch up'

Shah further stated that the move to shift the IPL to the UAE is a “blessing in disguise”.

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Sourav Ganguly and Jay Shah
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Sourav Ganguly and Jay Shah. (Photo Source: Getty Images)

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah has invited the Presidents and Secretary of its states affiliates to witness the Indian Premier League Qualifier 2 and final in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In a letter addressed to the officials, Shah stated that “this is an ideal time to catch up” as the Indian domestic season is getting underway.

“Let us meet in Sharjah for the Qualifier 2 and then again for the grand final in Dubai. We have chalked out an itinerary for you and my team will ensure you have an extremely pleasant stay,” wrote Shah in the letter.

The second qualifier is scheduled for October 13, which will be followed by the final on October 15. Shah further stated that the move to shift the IPL to the UAE is a “blessing in disguise” given the T20 World Cup this year is scheduled to get underway at the same venue from October 17 onwards.

“In hindsight, this appears as a blessing in disguise, as with the T20 World Cup taking place soon after, there cannot be a better preparatory ground than a tournament of IPL’s stature,” Shah wrote in the mail to the state units.

“I am confident that the second phase of the IPL will provide ideal preparation ahead of the World Cup and will prepare Team India in the best possible manner,” the BCCI secretary further said in a mail inviting the president and secretary of the state units to the play-offs and the final.”

Only BCCI and State Associations know the effort behind completing IPL 2021: Jay Shah

He further said that the 2021 edition may appear a repeat of the previous edition, when the IPL was entirely played in the UAE, although the efforts gone behind the current edition are much different. “To the outside world this may appear as an exact repeat of last year, when the BCCI hosted the 13th season of the IPL in the UAE. However, only the BCCI and its State Associations know the effort that has gone behind in completing the 14th season of the IPL,” Shah said.

“While everything finally seemed alright we were hit by a curve ball. A spate of Covid cases meant the IPL had to be suspended temporarily. All of us pulled through to ensure IPL’s return to India, its original home. While we never ruled out the possibility of someone testing midway through the league, we had done our best to tighten loose ends.

“Despite the stringent measures put in place, the bio-bubble was breached by the virus forcing us to suspend the league keeping everyone’s health and safety on priority. The BCCI has always stood shoulder to shoulder with its stakeholders, and we breathed easy only when all the players, support staff and match officials reached their respective destinations,” Shah said of the efforts taken to ensure smooth passage of the players and support staff.”

“It was during this challenging phase when some of you reached out to me and expressed confidence in completing the unfinished business. This certainly boosted my confidence and that of my colleagues in the board and we soon began our operations of identifying a suitable window. We reached out to all boards, secured necessary permissions, worked closely with the UAE Government and the Emirates Cricket Board. The window just before ICC Men’sT20 World was identified and immediately locked in,” Shah wrote.

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