IPL 2021: BCCI confirms remainder of tournament to take place in UAE in September-October window

IPL 2021 was suspended in early May after many players testing positive for COVID-19.

File image (Source: Twitter)

The remaining part of the 14th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2021) has been shifted to the United Arab Emirates, BCCI Vice-President Rajiv Shukla told ANI on Saturday (May 29). The decision was taken on Saturday (May 29) during the Special General Meeting (SGM) held virtually, where members unanimously agreed to resume IPL 2021.

The T20 league, which was suspended in early May after many players testing positive for COVID-19, will now take place during the September-October window. The tournament is shifted to UAE as India is likely to witness the monsoon season during the resumption window.

"The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Saturday announced to complete the remaining matches of VIVO Indian Premier League 2021 season in the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E) considering the monsoon season in India in the months of September-October this year," said a statement from the BCCI on Saturday.

"The decision was taken at a Special General Meeting (SGM) held virtually, where members unanimously agreed to resume IPL," the statement added.

While it has been decided that the board will discuss the availability of foreign players with the respective boards with the September-October window in mind, the non-availability of foreign players would not be a deal-breaker for the conduct of the remaining part of the IPL. For the T20 World Cup, it was decided that the Indian board will seek time from the ICC when the international body has a meeting on June 1.

NEWS : BCCI to conduct remaining matches of VIVO IPL in UAE.

More details here - https://t.co/r7TSIKLUdM #VIVOIPL pic.twitter.com/q3hKsw0lkb

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 29, 2021

Speaking to ANI, a source in the know of developments in the meeting said the BCCI will go ahead with organising the IPL in the UAE with an aim to have a 25-day window for the completion of the 14th edition of the league.

"There have been talks with the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) and they are happy to host the remaining IPL in Dubai, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi like last time. The BCCI will now speak to the foreign boards to decide on the availability of the foreign players. While the Australian players may be available, there are some questions over the availability of the England and New Zealand players, we will see how that works out. We are looking at a 25-day window and that is on," the source said.

With regards to the T20 World Cup, the source said it was unanimously decided that with more than four months left for the showpiece event, the BCCI will propose to the ICC to give the body time till the end of June or the beginning of July to take a call on hosting the tournament.

"There is still close to four and a half months and we are confident things will change in that space of time with respect to COVID-19. The BCCI will request the ICC for time till the end of June or the start of July to take a final call on the matter," the source explained.

As for the tax exemption from the government, the board is confident of positive talks. "We are in talks with the government and talks have made some headway which is crucial for the conduct of the tournament in India," the source said.