IPL 2020 Latest Update: IPL Chairman Brijesh Patel confirms conducting IPL 2020 in UAE

IPL 2020 in UAE: The announcement regarding the cash-rich league was bound to come after the postponement of ICC T20 World Cup 2020.

Following oodles of speculations around the 13th season of the Indian Premier League, it has finally been confirmed that the cash-rich league will be played in the UAE (United Arab Emirates).

Going by reports emerging around three weeks ago, it was almost clear that IPL 2020 would be conducted outside of India. Due to a constant surge in the number of COVID-19 cases in India, conducting a tournament such as the IPL would have involved a large amount of risk.

On his 48th birthday, BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) President Sourav Ganguly had claimed IPL 2020 to be “very important” for Indian cricket.

“[If the T20 World Cup gets cancelled] We will try everything to stage the IPL. It is very important for Indian cricket,” Ganguly had told journalist Vikrant Gupta during an Instagram live session.

IPL 2020 in UAE

With the ICC T20 World Cup getting postponed by a year as recent as yesterday, IPL Chairman Brijesh Patel has confirmed to ESPNcricinfo that the 13th season will be conducted in UAE. While extensive details regarding the development are keenly awaited, the news will become a source of amazement for plentiful cricket-deprived Indian fans.

“We were waiting for the ICC to officially announce [the postponement]. We have applied [for permission] with the Indian government. Should get it,” Patel told ESPNcricinfo today.

Patel, who was eyeing the September-October slot for IPL 2020, will most likely get the same as another potential hindrance in the Asia Cup has also been postponed citing COVID-19 threat.

Patel further informed ESPNcricinfo that Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah will be the three venues where IPL 2020 will be played.

It is worth mentioning that IPL 2020 will be third time when extravagant tournament will be played outside of India. Previously, the IPL was conducted in South Africa (2009) and UAE (2014 – partially) due to the general elections in the country.