Hopefully, we can host IPL 2022 in India: BCCI President Sourav Ganguly

Professional cricket has never been the same ever since the COVID-19 pandemic came in the picture. The global pandemic had brought the entire world to a standstill, forcing several major cricket series and tournaments to get cancelled or postponed. Indian cricket has also been hampered a lot by this disease. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had to host the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 on UAE soil because of the same.

While the 2021 edition of the T20 tournament started on Indian soil, it was later shifted to UAE due to health concerns. Even, the 2021 edition of the T20 World Cup couldn’t take place in India. While the pandemic has cost Indian cricket big time, BCCI president Sourav Ganguly believes the bad phase is over and the upcoming events in India won’t be hampered.

I think the worst is over: Sourav Ganguly

“I think we have gone past it and the worst is over. Hopefully, we can get back IPL in India next year because it’s India’s tournament and it’s a different atmosphere when it’s played in India. International cricket is on. We hosted New Zealand. We are going to South Africa. West Indies and Sri Lanka will follow. So I think the worst is over,” Ganguly was quoted as saying by News18.

“We have succeeded in completing the IPL in spite of all the Covid issues by taking it to Dubai. The sports authorities in Dubai have been exceptional. Our domestic cricket is on in full flow like it was before. Last year was a bit of a break because of the Pandemic. We have almost completed every tournament. The Ranji Trophy starts in January. The junior cricket is on. And there has been no positive cases (of Covid) so far,” he added.

On being asked about the probable impact of new COVID-19 variant, Omicron, Ganguly said it doesn’t worry him as of now. “Not yet. We will assess the condition in due course and see what happens,” he added. Speaking of the national team’s schedule, India will travel South Africa for three Tests and as many ODIs, starting from December 26.