BCCI is set to make substantial changes in the IPL 2021 schedule

The BCCI is struggling with conducting the remainder of the IPL. It is encountering many roadblocks in making the remainder of the IPL successful. As the BCCI has already decided to conduct the IPL in the UAE. however, with the mandatory quarantine of players in place and other things, it is getting difficult to set the dates for the IPL. 

Presently, the BCCI and Wales cricket board are in the talks to narrow down the 5 matches of the England and Indian series to the four matches. It would allow the players sufficient time to the players to complete their mandatory quarantine and resume the match in time. 

As per the decision by the BCCI, IPL will be played over the 1 month window. BCCI is already considering the more double-headers that will quicken the completion of the IPL. However, this also throws the logistic challenge to conduct the IPL. 

It is likely that the ICC T20 world will be held in the UAE and they will need the ground in those days. And BCCI will have to hand over the grounds to ICC by the 1 OCT.  To cope with these problems, there are reports that BCCI is brooding over conducting the IPL only in the one ground i.e Dubai. 

The IPL 2021’s suspension clearly shows the problem with the bio-bubbles in India. With the successful culmination of the IPL in the UAE last year, similar protocols are likely to be followed this time around.

A BCCI official spoke to InsideSport about the possibility of players traveling to the UAE in mid-August, similar to the way they did last season. The resumption date for the tournament is touted to be around September 17 or September 19. The BCCI official revealed:

“If you remember, last year we were given a specific date (August 20) before which we couldn’t leave for UAE. With the tournament once again starting around September 18-19, we should be given the same kind of window to start shifting base to UAE. With discussions with hotels already on, it shouldn’t be such a big concern. As of now, we are looking at traveling around the third week of August.”

While Delhi Capitals and currently atop the IPL 2021 standings with 12 points from eight games, Sunrisers Hyderabad occupy the last spot with just two points from seven outings.