ICC T20 World Cup 2020 set to be postponed
The ICC T20 World Cup is likely to be postponed till 2022, however, no official announcement has been made yet. According to ANI, ICC sources have claimed the same. The postponement might open up a window for the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL) in October. The ICC T20 World Cup was set to be held in Australia. Here's more.
World T20 is likely to be postponed until 2022
Postponement of World T20 could be decided on Thursday
According to a report in PTI, the postponement of the World T20 could be decided during an ICC board meeting on Thursday. "There is a good chance that postponement of World T20 will be decided during Thursday's board meeting. Whether there will be a formal announcement or not is the question," an ICC board member told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
'There is very little chance of World T20 going ahead'
"There is very little chance of World T20 going ahead in this situation. I don't think either Cricket Australia or the top boards will mind," the ICC member added.
Tournament's shifting to 2022 is a serious option
Earlier, a report in PTI had stated that ICC's Events Committee -- led by Chris Tetley -- might present multiple options. One major option is to shift the tournament to October-November, 2022. Meanwhile, the 2021 edition of the tournament would go ahead as planned in India. The report added that the members are likely to seriously contemplate this move.
India's tour of Australia given priority to recover from losses
The Indian cricket team is set to tour Australia at the end of the year. The members are likely to give more precedence to bilateral engagements to recover from the financial losses incurred during the coronavirus pandemic. Also it is about broadcasters Star Sports, which incidentally holds rights for both the ICC events as well as BCCI's 'India Cricket' rights and the IPL rights.
BCCI optimistic regarding IPL 2020
The IPL 2020 was indefinitely postponed amid the coronavirus pandemic. With the World T20 set to be postponed, a window will open up. Recently, BCCI Chief Executive Officer Rahul Johri claimed cricketing activities can start only after the monsoon but is optimistic about the IPL 2020 happening this year. However, the BCCI will follow the guidelines meted out by the government of India.
October-November window could belong to IPL, says Anshuman Gaekwad
Last week, BCCI Apex Council member Anshuman Gaekwad said the ICC T20 World Cup which is supposed to be held this year, seems unlikely to go ahead. "I have my doubts that T20 WC will be held this year. About IPL, we cannot think of just now. It will depend on Indian conditions," Gaekwad told PTI Bhasha.
BCCI needs to find options for IPL 2020
If the IPL cannot go ahead in India, the BCCI will need to choose another nation to host the tourney. The likes of UAE and Sri Lanka have already offered to host the tourney. If the IPL gets canceled this year, the losses may amount to nearly Rs. 4,000 crore.
