Mumbai Indians likely to tour the USA in late August

Mumbai Indians have reportedly planned a tour of the United States of America. A BCCI official has told Indian Express that they have been informed unofficially about the Mumbai team’s plans and that a more detailed itinerary will be discussed soon. The tour is planned after the completion of India’s tour of West Indies in late August.

The tour has not been planned suddenly. The idea for such tour where IPL teams would be allowed to play friendly matches with teams in ICC Associate or Affiliate countries in the June-August window was initially announced by a BCCI working committee four years ago.

Time was the issue for the franchise due to the Champions League T20 tournament. But, with the tournament been terminated last year, Mumbai Indians can utilise the free window in August-September to travel to the USA and become the only first IPL team to do so.

“The BCCI allows franchises to play three games with associate countries. It builds a fan base outside India. IPL has grown big over the years and we have not only followers in India but abroad too. The recent reports have clearly stated that fastest growing league in the world is IPL. There is no harm if any franchise plays outside India,” the BCCI official has been quoted as saying.

He has also said that this tour will happen immediately after India’s tour of the West Indies, which shall go on till 22 August. Captain Rohit Sharma will therefore possibly be involved in the friendly matches in America.