IPL 2022: Sri Lanka keen to host the upcoming edition

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has put forth its desire to host the 2022 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). India is currently under the grip of COVID-19 with the number of cases increasing at a rapid rate. Hence, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has kept a contingency plan in store where they have kept South Africa and Sri Lanka as the backup hosts.

While the entirety of IPL 2020 took place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Gulf Country hosted a part of the previous edition. But as per sources, the Indian board doesn’t wish to completely stay dependant on the UAE for hosting the cash-rich tournament.

SLC, in the meantime, has shown a lot of eagerness and also talked about initiating talks with the Sourav Ganguly-led BCCI.

SLC to contact BCCI for IPL 2022

“We have seen reports and we will be happy to host the IPL in Sri Lanka. We will initiate talks with the BCCI regarding this soon,” Mohan de Silva, the secretary of the SLC, was quoted as saying to Cricbuzz.

Silva also sounded positive about the situation in Sri Lanka during the pandemic. “The Covid situation is not bad here in Sri Lanka and you can be assured we will be very warm hosts,” the SLC secretary added.

The BCCI is already on its toes after the ongoing domestic season was halted due to the pandemic. The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the Vijay Hazare Trophy went ahead as per schedule. However, the upcoming Ranji Trophy had to be postponed and the Cooch Behar U19 trophy had to be stopped midway as well.

The BCCI also has the challenge of hosting IPL 2022 keeping in mind that two additional teams from Ahmedabad and Gujarat have been added. The new franchises have also been given a deadline of January 22 to complete their recruitment process.

“They have time till 5 pm on January 22 to complete their signings, a BCCI official said. “The mega auction is scheduled to take place in the second week of February. VIVO has also pulled out as the title sponsors of the IPL with TATA replacing them.