International Cricket Council has deferred till July any decision on the Twenty20 World Cup scheduled to be played in Australia from October 18 to November 15, 2020. Not surprising given the current uncertainty over international travel and related matters which are likely to affect holding an event of this magnitude.
The clear October-November window presents an opportunity for the Board of Control for Cricket in India to push the case of holding the 2020 edition of the cash-rich Indian Premier League. After all the IPL features players from most countries, except Pakistan, that have booked places in the T20 World Cup.
BCCI president Sourav Ganguly's letter to all affiliated associations to the effect that the Board is exploring all possibilities, including playing in empty venues, is a strong pointer in this direction. The message is not to hold back on preparations for the upcoming season. After all pitches and grounds get a much-needed make-over during these summer months, in readiness for the new season that kicks-off around mid-September.
IPL's chances of not missing out on the 13th edition is due to the fact that most commercial commitments would already have been put in place by the time that the country-wide lock-down in India came late March. Some re-negotiations may be required but largely there is a basic framework in place to go ahead with the tournament.
There was also the niggle of the Asia Cup being penciled for September but BCCI's clear stand than 14-day quarantines either side of a 12-day tournament doesn't make sense has all but put a lid on the event.
India were scheduled to play a series of 50-over as well T20 internationals in Sri Lanka but BCCI has categorically termed it as "not feasible"!
Given the present scenario, with a complete ban on commercial international travel, it will indeed be a challenge to push ahead with anything. IPL may happen in the autumn but all would depend on how the coming months turn out vis-a-vis the Covid19 infection spread.
IPL may be much easier to organise since travel would be all domestic, once the international players wanting to participate reach India. Again that is subject to lifting the ban of commercial international flights, though domestic flights have been operational with severe checks all round.
Life is on hold and so is sport, even though baby steps have begun on the football fields of Europe as well as PGA Tour golf in USA.
The clear October-November window presents an opportunity for the Board of Control for Cricket in India to push the case of holding the 2020 edition of the cash-rich Indian Premier League. After all the IPL features players from most countries, except Pakistan, that have booked places in the T20 World Cup.
BCCI president Sourav Ganguly's letter to all affiliated associations to the effect that the Board is exploring all possibilities, including playing in empty venues, is a strong pointer in this direction. The message is not to hold back on preparations for the upcoming season. After all pitches and grounds get a much-needed make-over during these summer months, in readiness for the new season that kicks-off around mid-September.
IPL's chances of not missing out on the 13th edition is due to the fact that most commercial commitments would already have been put in place by the time that the country-wide lock-down in India came late March. Some re-negotiations may be required but largely there is a basic framework in place to go ahead with the tournament.
There was also the niggle of the Asia Cup being penciled for September but BCCI's clear stand than 14-day quarantines either side of a 12-day tournament doesn't make sense has all but put a lid on the event.
India were scheduled to play a series of 50-over as well T20 internationals in Sri Lanka but BCCI has categorically termed it as "not feasible"!
Given the present scenario, with a complete ban on commercial international travel, it will indeed be a challenge to push ahead with anything. IPL may happen in the autumn but all would depend on how the coming months turn out vis-a-vis the Covid19 infection spread.
IPL may be much easier to organise since travel would be all domestic, once the international players wanting to participate reach India. Again that is subject to lifting the ban of commercial international flights, though domestic flights have been operational with severe checks all round.
Life is on hold and so is sport, even though baby steps have begun on the football fields of Europe as well as PGA Tour golf in USA.
All going well, international cricket may return to the tube early July. But the final word on IPL may not come until August, or even later, when there's likelihood better clarity on travel and other related aspects. Lest we forget, movement of television crews will be a key part of all future plans since empty stadium seats must be replaced by eye-balls from home!
Nonetheless IPL stands a better chance with each passing day that ICC doesn't take a firm decision on the T20 World Cup!
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