IPL 2021 Remaining matches: In possibility, the remaining matches of IPL 2021 will not be held in India as BCCI’s interim CEO Hemang Amin, who is also the COO of IPL, is going to propose UAE and the UK as two options to conduct 31 matches left after the tournament was suspended midway through due to COVID-19 pandemic. On May 29, in the BCCI SGM, a decision will be taken which venue to go for as India will also host the ICC T20 World Cup in October.
Behind IPL 2020’s grand success in the UAE, it was Hemang Amin, who was responsible. While he was one of the most vocal voices urging the board to conduct the IPL 2021 in the UAE, he was shot down by the BCCI’s top brass. But now, UAE and the UK have emerged as the two likely options with the COVID-19 crisis in India likely to continue for months amid warnings of the third wave in September-October.
IPL 2021 Remaining matches: However, if the ICC T20 World Cup is shifted to the UAE, the IPL 2021 remaining matches also have to be moved somewhere else with UK emerging as the top contender for the time being. The venues in an ICC event, here the ICC T20 Cup, need to be handed over to the ICC 15 days prior to the tournament. That essentially closes the window for BCCI. But, with prior experience in the UAE and a friendlier nation, Hemang Amin is keeping the desert nation as the preferred option, as per TOI.
IPL 2021 Remaining matches: Why is the UAE preferred option compared to UAE despite return of crowd?
Reason 1 – Higher expenses: In the UK, the costs are generally higher than that of UAE and India. The primary reason being the currency exchange rate and the other being the higher cost of living. Hotel charges, logistics and renting out the stadiums will incur huge costs compared that to the UAE. Despite the return of the crowd, the economics of the game may not be suitable for the BCCI.
In the UAE, the costs of renting out venues are cheaper compared to the UK. Furthermore, teams can be transported to other venues by road, decreasing the exposure that could have been in flight and also the costs.
Reason 2 – Weather: The next reason is England’s unpredictable weather conditions that will worsen by September. The chances of washouts will be higher than usual, meaning it will not help the matter. In the UAE, the weather will cool down by September, presenting soothing weather for teams and all staffers involved.
In UAE, BCCI has hosted IPL twice, in 2020 and in 2014 (partially).
The board is aware of the protocols in the UAE while the welcoming Emirates Cricket Board is another reason. However, if the ICC T20 World Cup is moved to the UAE, BCCI may not have another option but to go ahead with the UK or mull over Sri Lanka as the other options. The BCCI will take a call on that matter on May 29.