Image Credit: BCCI/IPL
As said by a senior official of BCCI, the remaining matches of IPL-2021 are likely to resume on September 18 or 19 in UAE, and more than 10 double-headers expected to be played during the three weeks of this tentative IPL window.
The final match might be played on October 9 or 10. Three weeks will be enough for the remaining 31 matches to complete this season. This would be a very adjusting situation for all the stakeholders including the BCCI, franchises, and broadcasters.
This season of the Indian Premier League had been postponed indefinitely on May 4 by BCCI after a number of players and support staff from different franchises tested positive for COVID-19.
The BCCI official told PTI, “The BCCI has spoken to all the stakeholders and the likely start could be between September 18th to 20th. Since September 18 is a Saturday and 19 a Sunday, it is more likely that you would want to re-start it on a weekend date.”
And the final match will be played on October 9 or 10 as it’s a weekend and also inform about the plan of 10 doubleheaders that will be played in three weeks.
Also, the source added, “The Indian team and the English players who will be available will fly in the same charter flight from Manchester to Dubai. Similarly, the West Indies players will also fly in after completing the Caribbean Premier League engagements. There will be a three-day quarantine for players arriving from the UK and the Caribbean.”
An IPL franchise official has confirmed the communication with BCCI about this matter. BCCI said to be ready for the league and the September 15 to 20 window have been provided for the rest of the tournament.
The BCCI has decided to cancel India vs South Africa T20 series which was a build to prepare for the World T20 preparations.
“There is a chance that India might play extra games when they tour South Africa early next year,” the source added.