BCCI set to conduct IPL 2021 in India
In what comes as a positive news for Indian cricket fans, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is planning to conduct the IPL 2021 in India. As per a report in TOI, the BCCI has designated Wankhede, Brabourne Stadium, DY Patil Stadium, Reliance Cricket Stadium in Navi Mumbai and the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) in Pune, for the same.
Motera could also be used as a venue
It understood that the Sardar Patel Stadium in Motera could also be used for the knockout matches during the end of May. Meanwhile, the tournament is likely to start in April after the completion of the Vijay Hazare Trophy and a Women's One-Day tournament.
No Ranji Trophy this season
On Saturday, it was reported that India's premier domestic tournament Ranji Trophy won't be held in the truncated 2020/21 season. The BCCI is instead focusing on conducting the limited-overs games such as Vijay Hazare Trophy and the senior women's One-Day tournament. It has been learned that the Vijay Hazare Trophy will precede the upcoming edition of IPL.
The board is confident of hosting the IPL: Arun Dhumal
According to BCCI treasurer Arun Dhumal, the board is confident that it would be able to host the league at home, unlike the previous edition (UAE). "We're working on having the IPL in India and we are hopeful that we would be able to organise it. We are not even thinking of a back up at this point in time," he told PTI.
The UAE have experienced a spike in COVID-19 cases
The UAE are currently experiencing a spike in COVID-19 cases, while India have reported less cases of late. Speaking on the same, Dhumal said, "Hopefully, the situation remains stable and keep improving and we will have it here."
IPL 2020 broke several records in terms of viewership
Last year, the IPL in the UAE turned out to be a huge hit, considering the TV viewership. The viewership multiplied as the entire tournament was played behind closed doors, with most of the people staying indoors. Notably, Mumbai Indians scripted history by clinching a record fifth IPL title. They defeated Delhi Capitals in the high-octane grand finale.
BCCI plans to get crowd back to stadiums
Besides that, the four-match Test series between India and England will commence on February 5. On the possibility of having crowds in the first international series in India amid the pandemic, Dhumal said, "We are reviewing the situation on a regular basis. We are very keen to have the crowds back." "It won't be 100%, but we are looking at anywhere between 25-50%."
