Reports: Stakeholders chalking out a plan to conduct IPL 2020 in September-November window

The 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has gone past its scheduled start which was originally March 29. But the BCCI had to postpone the tournament until April 15 with the Government upholding all the foreign visas till the same date due to the spread of the Coronavirus. Moreover, the things are getting complicated and the hopes of the IPL organising in April or even May are diminishing.

However, if the latest reports are to be believed, the stakeholders are looking at the September-November window later this year to make the IPL 2020 season happen. The organisers are keen on having a go at this plan even if it’s a curtailed season without the foreign players.

“Either way, one thing remains clear: The IPL takes precedence whenever the markets open. That’s not because the BCCI will force it. That’s because the IPL remains the elephant in the room,” the source was quoted as saying by the Times of India.

Asia Cup scheduled in September likely to be scrapped

While the Asia Cup is scheduled to be played in September, the reports recently emerged that the tournament could be cancelled. As far as the IPL is concerned, there were fears that the extravaganza might lose its charm without overseas players even as one of the BCCI officials had said that it would just be another Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy if the foreign cricketers don’t participate.

However, the IPL officials are hopeful that the presence of the top India stars in the IPL will be enough to attract the fans to the stadiums. “The comparisons to Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy will not hold if this IPL is all Indian affair. The SMA trophy has all state teams. This will be eight teams plus we will have all top Indian players from Virat Kohli to MS Dhoni playing. There will be an audience for it, believes the broadcaster,” the sources further added.

Having said that, the BCCI has confirmed nothing officially yet even as the reports of the IPL getting cancelled this year also emerged.