The BCCI is yet to finalise a IPL new schedule to accommodate international players for the remainder of the 2021 season which has 31 matches left
Although good news regarding IPL 2021 finally came in with the BCCI affirming that the marquee competition would be restarting later this year, there are still a slew of issues to iron out for the governing council.
The BCCI finally nailed down on UAE as the new venue for the remainder of the season. The remaining 31 matches in the tournament will be contested in the same country which held the entirety of the 2020 season.
And while the BCCI didn’t officially reveal a new date for IPL 2021, Jay Shah’s comments all but hinted at a mid-September restart. Issuing a statement on Saturday, Shah spoke about the Indian monsoon season during September and October playing a major role in the BCCI’s decision to take the IPL away from the country.
IPL New Schedule 2021: CPL 2021 Throws West Indian And South African Players Participation In The Air
The timeframe alluded towards by Shah throws up a searing headache for the BCCI. With the Caribbean Premier League slated at the same time, players from West Indies and South Africa could end up skipping out on a magnitude of the matches in IPL 2021.
Strict quarantine rules in UAE will require these players to endure a period in self isolation, something which could further stave the CPL players from participating in IPL. Also, special flights will have to flown from St Kitts and Nevis to carry these names from the CPL to the IPL.
Giles Clobbers Down Against Releasing English Players
With the test series between England and India coming to an end on September 18, England’s coach Ashely Giles had talked about how the English players would not be released for the IPL. The short turnaround time between the series and the resumption of the IPL along with the T20 World Cup later this year has seen the ECB accord the country’s cricketers with a window to get much needed rest.
India and South Africa’s Series All But Cancelled
The latest development by the BCCI comes as a massive setback to the international series scheduled between India and South Africa. The two sides were set to compete prior to the T20 World Cup, matches which look extremely unlikely to go ahead as of now.
It remains to be seen what stance the BCCI will be taking on the series against New Zealand preceding the T20 2021 World Cup.
UAE’s Strict Vaccination Policy
Another throbbing headache for the BCCI is the stringent vaccination policy in the country. With no international arrivals allowed if they are not vaccination against COVID, the BCCI will have to scamper to arrange the needful.