IPL 2020 time table: IPL Chairman eyeing September-October slot for IPL 2020

IPL Chairman eyeing September-October slot for IPL 2020: The cash-rich league is likely to replace the ICC T20 World Cup 2020.

Less than 24 hours after BCCI President Sourav Ganguly hinted at conducting IPL 2020 in empty stadiums, IPL Chairman Brijesh Patel has opened up on the possibility of playing the 13th season of the tournament outside of India.

“We have to watch how things are going to play out over the next one month from a Covid perspective. We don’t mind shifting the IPL to another country, either in part or in full. There are other aspects to be considered here,” Patel was quoted as saying by The Times of India on Thursday.

Explaining the various challenges in store for the organizers if the tournament is played at an overseas venue, Patel talked about how the status of the novel COVID-19 outbreak will affect the scheduling.

“Suppose we shift just the first leg out of the country, we will have to go through a quarantine when we fly there. But we may probably also have to go through another quarantine when we’re back for the India 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. In the recent past, Sri Lanka and UAE had offered to host IPL 2020 after BCCI suspended the tournament until further notice.

IPL Chairman eyeing September-October slot for IPL 2020

Patel didn’t shy away from disclosing that BCCI are waiting for an official announcement regarding (the postponement of) the ICC T20 World Cup 2020 which is slated to be played in Australia.

“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,” Patel added.

Previously, reports were rife that BCCI are expected to kick-start IPL 2020 from September 25. If that becomes the reality, one possible challenge for the BCCI would be the Asia Cup which is also scheduled to be played in the same month.

“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 further added.

Patel also acknowledged that the monsoon season might affect IPL 2020. This, in addition to the COVID-19 challenge, might force the officials to conduct IPL 2020 in two-three cities for it is almost certain to be played in empty stadiums.

“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 concluded.