BCCI SGM: President Sourav Ganguly to reach Mumbai on Friday, focus on T20 WC and IPL

BCCI president Sourav Ganguly (left) and secretary Jay Shah. (Photo: IPL)

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Sourav Ganguly is set to arrive in Mumbai on Friday (May 28) night for the all-important virtual Special General Meeting on Saturday (May 29). The major areas of focus will be the planning for the T20 World Cup, the resumption of the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the payment process for domestic cricketers.

Speaking to news agency ANI, sources in the know of developments confirmed that the former India skipper will be reaching Mumbai on Friday night. “While it is a virtual meeting, we will still have to have a base and that is Mumbai. Sourav is coming tonight,” the source said.

While the upcoming T20 World Cup was always going to be the major point of discussion, the BCCI`s plan to restart the suspended IPL will also be discussed with the state associations as it is set to face quite some challenges with an eye on the COVID-19 situation. “With the ICC meeting on June 1, tomorrow’s SGM will obviously hold importance as we need to discuss the way forward and the measures that need to be taken with an eye on the T20 World Cup set to be held in India in October-November as per the plan drawn. The COVID-19 scenario and the contingency plans are set to be discussed with the state associations in details.

“Similarly, now that we are also looking at the September 15 to October 15 window for the resumption of IPL, we would also need to discuss the logistics in details as also any other challenge that needs to be given attention. The completion of the IPL will also work as a good preparation ground for the players with the T20 World Cup set to be played,” the source pointed.

In its last Apex Council meeting, the BCCI had picked nine venues for the T20 World Cup – Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Dharamsala, Ahmedabad and Lucknow. The state associations had been told to keep preparations on for the event with an eye on the coronavirus pandemic.

All that will need a re-look now with an eye on the current COVID-19 situation. Another important area will be the decision on the payment of domestic players as there is still some confusion on how it needs to be worked out.

“There is no doubt that the domestic players need to be paid their dues as also a compensation plan needs to be worked upon as we have faced issues with hosting tournaments due to COVID-19. Sitting together and working things out always helps and with state associations a part of the meeting tomorrow, we should get a clear picture on the issue,” the source explained.

Indian women cricketers’ first dose of COVID-19 vaccination completed, second jab in UK

The Indian women’s cricket team has completed the first dose of COVID-19 vaccination as it gears up for the upcoming tour of England. Currently in quarantine in Mumbai, those members of the contingent who were yet to get the first dose received the jab on Thursday. “The entire contingent is now done with the first dose of vaccination. There were quite a few left to get the first dose and that was completed on Thursday. All the girls have been given Covishield as that will help them get the second dose in England,” the source pointed.

The women’s team will take on England in a one-off Test, three ODIs, and three T20Is. The two teams will first square off in a four-day Test match, beginning June 16. Then both teams will lock horns in three ODIs beginning June 27 with the matches slated to be played at Bristol, Taunton, and Worcester. The two teams will then face off in three T20Is, beginning July 9 and the three matches will be played at Northampton, Hove, and Chelmsford.

(with ANI inputs)