BCCI planning to start the IPL 2020 from September 26

The fate of the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been hanging by the thread since the outbreak of the Coronavirus this year. It was supposed to take place from March 29 to May 24 only to be suspended until further notice due to the nationwide lockdown. Ever since then, the BCCI has adopted a wait and watch policy and working behind the scenes to make the tournament happen somehow this year.

It has now been reported that the board is considering to stage the IPL 2020 from September 26 this year. Recently, the BCCI President Sourav Ganguly had cleared that they were open to stage the cash-rich league behind closed doors due to the pandemic. Moreover, Cricket Australia (CA), on Tuesday, cleared that the T20 World Cup happening this year looks unrealistic.

“It (IPL) will be between September-end and November-start, more specifically it could be from September 26 to November 8. These dates are subject to the expected postponement/cancellation of the Twenty20 World Cup in Australia,” a report in Mumbai Mirror read.

Chennai and Bangalore likely to play the host

With the start of the IPL likely to be in September, most of the matches will be played in South India as monsoon won’t be severe in that part. Accordingly, Chennai and Bangalore seem to be the venues to host the tournament. It has also been understood that Mumbai was BCCI‘s first preference earlier but the ever-rising COVID-19 cases in the city has made things tough for the organisers.

However, if the situation improves, the second half of the T20 league can be moved to India’s financial capital. There are also chances of the matches being played at KPL and TNPL venues. “Mumbai was to be BCCI’s first choice given the infrastructure, four international stadiums, hotels in close proximity and connectivity. But the proliferating number of Covid cases is discouraging the IPL managers.

“Should it be Karnataka or Tamil Nadu (another state where Covid cases are many), the IPL could be staged at the TNPL or KPL venues,” the report further read. The IPL teams haven’t been officially informed about the plans yet but informal discussions are taking place as of now.