'IPL and T20 World Cup could be played in India in 2020' - Sunil Gavaskar suggests a swap in hosting rights for the mega event

The upcoming T20 World Cup is in doubt due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. The tournament is set to be played in Australia in October this year even as the ICC is set to discuss the future of the mega event on Thursday. The World Cup in the shortest format is also to be played next year in India and Australia sealing its borders until September 30 has put the edition this year in trouble.

Former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has come up with a suggestion on the matter. He feels if the COVID-19 curve flattens in India, then BCCI and Cricket Australia (CA) can swap the hosting rights for the T20 World Cup. He also went on to mention that, if this happens, then even the IPL can be scheduled to be played in September so that the players get enough before the actual tournament.

While speaking to India Today, Gavaskar also pointed out Australia is not allowing foreigners to their country at the moment and the restrictions will be in place until September 30. With the T20 World Cup scheduled to commence in the third week of October, it will be tough for them to arrange everything in such a short period according to the cricketer turned commentator.

“At the moment, as we all know, Australia has barred foreigners from entering the country till the 30th of September. The tournament is starting from mid-October or the 3rd week of October, so it’s looking a bit difficult at the moment. If it can be done… next year’s T20 World Cup is in India.

“If it can be done… where India and Australia come to an agreement… In case the curve in India flattens out and India and Australia swap… so the T20 World Cup is in India in October-November this year and Australia in October-November next year, then it can happen.

“If it is going to happen that way, then maybe what can happen is the IPL can be held just prior to the T20 World Cup so that it’s enough practice for the players to have T20 World Cup,” Sunil Gavaskar said.

Postpone Asia Cup until December 2020, suggests Sunil Gavaskar

However, the Asia Cup is set to be played in September according to the current schedule. But even that tournament is under threat of getting cancelled or postponed. Sunil Gavaskar further believed that the Asia Cup can be played later in December in the UAE if India is hosts the T20 World Cup later this year.

“Then the Asia Cup can be held in December in the UAE. That’s a much better time to have the tournament than in September when it can be extremely hot,” he further added.