Small possibility of conducting remaining IPL 2021 in UK, Middle East: Rajasthan Royals owner

When will Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 resume? This has been one of the biggest questions in the cricket world lately. On May 4, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) postponed IPL 2021 midway after multiple COVID-19 cases were found inside the bio-bubble. Out of the 60 scheduled matches, only 29 could take place till the season suspension, and now, BCCI faces the daunting task of conducting the remaining games in a jam-packed cricket calendar.

As per plans, BCCI is mulling the September window to finish IPL 2021. However, the rest of the season can be shifted abroad, with the third wave of coronavirus expected to hit India later this year. In that case, the remaining tournament might take place in UAE, like last season, or England. Rajasthan Royals owner Manoj Badale also reckons that there’s a ‘small possibility’ of the tournament taking place outside India.

Small possibility of hosting remaining IPL 2021 in UK: Rajasthan Royals owner

“There is a possibility, a small possibility, that in September there might be something in the UK or possibly something in the Middle East either side of the T20 World Cup, but it’s going to be a real challenge,” Badale told reporters. The RR owner also highlighted that the cricket schedule is packed this year and players are already playing too much cricket.

“In my opinion, the players are already playing too much cricket. The calendars are incredibly packed, particularly this year after COVID. Boards from around the world are trying to get as many competitions and as many test matches as possible,” Badale asserted.

Warwickshire, Surrey and the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) have offered to host the IPL’s remaining 31 matches in September. Moreover, earlier this week, BCCI President Sourav Ganguly stated that COVID-19 crisis has made it impossible to stage the remaining games in India. Hence, it’s all but sure that the lucrative tournament won’t take place in India, and it would be interesting to see which country will get the hosting rights.