IPL to resume on the Sept 19 and final to be played on the Oct 15 in the UAE: Reports suggest

If the floating speculation are true, IPL 2021, which was postponed due to worsening corona situations, will resume on the Sept 19 and final will take place on oct 15. BCCI officials in the know of the details revealed that in the meeting between the BCCI board and Emirates cricket board, it was discussed that the remaining IPL 14th edition will be organized successfully in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Remaining matches will probably be played in the three grounds: Dubai, Sharjah, Abu dhabi like last year.

BCCI has requested the Emirates cricket board to make the proper and safe arrangement for the players and other staff. This would ensure the successful completion of the IPL.

Early this year, IPL was going on successfully. Midway, a few players were tested positive for the coronavirus. Keeping the safety of players in mind, the BCCI considered postpostining the IPL indefinitely.

There was uncertainty if it would be completed again. But now that uncertainty has come to an end with reports surfacing that IPL will be played in the UAE.

“The discussions went really well and with the ECB already giving us the oral nod to host the event ahead of the BCCI SGM, it was about closing the deal over the last week. The first game after the season resumes will be held on September 19 while we will have the final on October 15. The BCCI was always keen on a 25-day window to finish the remaining matches,” the official said.

There is also the uncertainty regarding the presence of the foreign players, asked about the same, BCCI officials made it clear that they are in touch with the foreign boards and they expect positive outcome of the same.

“The discussions have started and we are keeping our fingers crossed that the foreign players will be mostly available. If a couple of them do not manage to turn up, we shall then decide on the future course of action. But keeping fingers crossed for now and hoping to have an action-packed end to the 14th edition in UAE,” the official said.

In fact, franchises are also confident that the BCCI will engage in positive discussions with the foreign boards and make players available for the remaining games.

“What we were made aware of after the BCCI SGM is that the board will be speaking to the foreign boards and check on the availability of the foreign cricketers. We are confident that the BCCI will find the best possible solution and honestly it is a matter of the BCCI officials speaking to the respective board officials, so we should wait to hear from the board on this.

“Yes, if we do end up missing some of the foreign stars, that is an area which would need some attention when it comes to picking replacements as the foreign players are also integral to the teams. Team balance can go for a toss, so keeping fingers crossed on that one,” the franchise official said.