IPL 2021 new date: Will IPL 2021 resume in September?

IPL 2021 new date: A lot of speculation is being made regarding the next step for the BCCI with respect to Indian Premier League 2021.

There is nothing novel in the scheduling of an Indian Premier League season getting affected due to external reasons. However, the 14th season of the IPl has become the first one which will be played in two parts distanced not by geographical locations but by a significant time frame.

Given how there have been talks of making arrangements of sending back the overseas players to their respective countries, the earlier reported one-week postponement of IPL 2021 due to COVID-19 pandemic looks all set to be extended by months.

As far as the resumption of IPL 2021 is concerned, the biggest challenge for the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) at this point in time is finding a slot which will not affect the international calendar.

With India set to play the final match of the inaugural ICC World Test Championship followed by a five-match Test series in England and the ICC T20 World Cup, finding a month-long period will be no mean task for the cricket board.

IPL 2021 new date

If reports are to be believed, BCCI are already contemplating resuming the biggest T20 league in September right after the Indian players return from their tour of England. Considering if the IPL is played in September, it still is highly likely to affect international scheduling as India are expected to host New Zealand before the T20 World Cup which will be played between October 18 and November 15.

“A September window is being considered. By then the England-India series would be over and the foreign player would be ready for the T20 World Cup. That small window is being explored,” a franchise official was quoted as saying in the media.

In such a situation, the BCCI could also look at decreasing the number of days for completing IPL 2021 by increasing the number of double-headers. Apart from 31 league matches, organizers will also have to make way for the playoff round.

Will IPL 2021 resume in September?

There is no hiding to the fact that all statement being made in the media might end up as speculations or being a case of “too early to say”. That being said, IPL Chairman Brijesh Patel has also not entirely ruled out the possibility of resuming IPL 2021 in September in a conversation with Cricbuzz.

“Now we have to look for a window. If we get one, we will explore holding it. We’ll have to see if it is possible in September. We need to examine the plans of the ICC and other boards,” Patel was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.