IPL

BCCI is keen to host the 13th season of Indian Premier League (IPL 2020) in September-October but waiting for the ICC formal announcement on 2020 T20 Cricket World Cup for the final decision. Speaking to the Times of India, IPL Governing Council chairman, Brijesh Patel said, "We are ready to go ahead with the IPL. But we can start planning the schedule formally only after the official announcement is made on the T20 World Cup, which I'm expecting will arrive anytime soon. On our part, we've already earmarked the September-October window for the tournament to be played." International Cricket Council was to announce the decision on the fate of T20 Cricket World Cup 2020 on June 10 but was rescheduled to June 14. Brijesh Patel also added that these plannings are currently tentative as final decision depends on the ICC decision on T20 World Cup. "Right now, we're saying it's tentative because finalities of the schedule can only be worked out once official confirmations arrive. Talks are going on with the league's multiple stakeholders and we're all on board. So, it's a matter of time before we start putting things in place," Patel said. He also pointed out the if needed IPL 2020 can be shifted out of India, which was also said by the BCCI Treasurer Arun Dhumal. Though he added that if tournament kickoff outside India, it will be moved to India if the situation improves. Although he also doesn't rule out the ideas of playing the whole tournament outside India. "Suppose we shift just the first leg out of the country, we will have to go through quarantine when we fly there. But we may probably also have to go through another quarantine when we're back for India's leg if COVID doesn't relent. Or who knows, by October things will be different. Let's see. Right now, we're not ruling out the idea of playing the whole tournament overseas," Patel said. When asked about starting the tournament in September he said that monsoon will be a threat. "If the IPL has to begin in September, there'll be a threat of monsoon. Whatever the case, logistics will have to be worked out carefully. Whether in India or overseas, the tournament won't be played at more than two or three venues because it's only for television," Patel added. He later asserted that tournament will be restricted to two or three venues and will be played in empty stands irrespective of whether it is played in India or overseas. "Also remember, wherever the IPL is played, it'll be played to empty stands. So, as long as it's available prime time for Indian fans, it shouldn't be a problem," Patel concluded. Yesterday, the BCCI President Sourav Ganguly had written a letter to the affiliate members and state units last night stating that the BCCI is ready to host the IPL behind closed doors and all options are being explored.

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