T20 World Cup to be held in India, announced Indian Cricket Board, learn more…
Thursday, 20th May 2021
The Indian Cricketing Board set on exploring all possibilities of hosting the T20 World Cup slated for commencement in October – November this year, in India even as the country reels under the vagaries of the Covid-19 infection. At the Special General Meeting that has been called by them on May 29, the BCCI is expected to discuss on the matter at length.
Board of Control for Cricket in India secretary Jay Shah said in a note addressed to the state cricket associations, “Notice is hereby given for a Special General Meeting of the BCCI which will be held on May 29, 2021 virtually to transact the following business: Discussion on the upcoming cricket season in view of the pandemic situation prevailing in India.”
If the occasion later arises wherein the Board will be compelled to shift the venue, the most convenient destination will continue to be the United Arab Emirates, which will also carry on being ‘Option B’. However, the BCCI has cleared their stance and announced that they will take that call only from the month of July after assessing the pandemic situation in India at the time.
Sources have said, “Right now, India is the host venue for the World Cup. That's how the Board is seeing it. If things go awry again, then a call will be taken only after the month of June. And yes, UAE is the second option.”
A discussion on rescheduling of the remainder of the 31 matches from this season of Indian Premier League will also be done at the SGM. Main alternative for the venue to host the rest of the matches will be the United Kingdom where the Indian team will be based to play in the forthcoming Test series against England.
Both England and Wales Cricket Board and Broadcaster partner, Star have concurred to host the IPL. According to sources, if costs escalate to “a point where it starts affecting stakeholders”, they will consider shifting the venue for the IPL to UAE or even Sri Lanka, an idea they are not “discounting.”
The News Talkie Bureau
Source:
TimesofIndia Indiatimes