IPL 2020 will take place in UAE: Chairman Brijesh Patel
The 13th edition of the Indian Premier League is set to take place in the United Arab Emirates. The IPL General Council's Chairman Brijesh Patel confirmed the development, stating the board has applied for the government's approval. Although the schedule hasn't been finalized yet, the tournament is expected to be held from September 26 to November 7. Here is more on the same.
Further course of action to be discussed in General Council
"IPL 2020, that was postponed due to coronavirus, will now be held in the UAE. We have applied for the government's permission. We will discuss the further course of action in IPL General Council," said Patel.
Governing Council could hold a meeting to discuss IPL's schedule
Earlier, Brijesh Patel confirmed the Governing Council will hold a meeting to discuss the tournament's schedule. He reiterated the meeting could be held in the impending weeks. However, he added the decision to hold the IPL will also depend upon the situation of COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) now awaits the approval of Government for the same.
IPL will likely take place in September-November
The International Cricket Council recently postponed the Men's T20 World Cup to 2021. The multilateral tournament, which was due to be played in Australia this year, will now be rescheduled to either 2021 or 2022. The decision gave a major boost to IPL as the October-November window remains vacant. Reportedly, the cash-rich league could run from September 26 to November 7.
IPL final to be scheduled on November 7
According to recent reports, the IPL final has been slated for November 7 so that Indian players can get enough time to prepare for the Australian tour. India are scheduled to travel Down Under for a four-Test series, starting December 11.
UAE set to host a second IPL season
The United Arab Emirates hosted the first half of 2014 IPL from April 16 to 30. Notably, the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Sharjah Cricket Stadium and Dubai International Cricket Stadium, together hosted 20 matches. Meanwhile, the franchises will likely set up their bases a month in advance, this time around. The players will train and abide by any quarantine measures imposed by the UAE government.
Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah likely to hold matches
As per an ESPNcricinfo report, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah will be the three main venues this season. However, it is yet to be ascertained if the matches will be played behind closed doors. UAE have always been the preferred nation to conduct the IPL outside India, as the two nations have a time difference of 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Mumbai Indians bagged a fourth IPL title
Mumbai Indians won the 12th IPL edition, having defeating arch-rivals Chennai Super Kings by one run in a high-voltage final. The Rohit Sharma-led side became the most successful IPL franchise, having bagged a record fourth title. SRH opener David Warner was the leading run-scorer with 692 runs at 69.20, while Imran Tahir emerged as the leading wicket-taker (26) of the tournament.
