A cloud of uncertainty hovers over the Indian Premier League (IPL). From being cancelled at the beginning of the year to being held in the UAE, it has traversed a great distance. Yet, the current spike in cases in UAE has put the schedule of fixtures on hold. A report by Vijayhardik, exclusively for Different Truths.
The calendar for the year went for a toss when Covid-19 brought the world to its knees. The world hit a pause. The world of sport was not exempted as well. Two marquee cricket events scheduled in the international cricket calendar were put in a hold.
The annual cricketing extravaganza of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the ICC T20 World Cup was supposed to be held in the months of April-May and November respectively. Cricketers from around the globe compete in both the tournaments. World cricket had a lot riding on them.
The annual cricketing extravaganza of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the ICC T20 World Cup was supposed to be held in the months of April-May and November respectively. Cricketers from around the globe compete in both the tournaments. World cricket had a lot riding on them.
As the period of lockdown was drawing to a close, sports federations were making plans to ensure the leagues, tournaments and international events of respective sports could be staged under the new guidelines.
Basketball and football were quick off the blocks. The NBA and various European football leagues resumed the fixtures. Many major sporting events and the pinnacle of sporting competitions the Olympics were postponed. The cricketing bosses, however, were dithering on making a decision.
Most of the bilateral tours scheduled within the ICC calendar were cancelled. Looking at resuming cricketing acting towards the end of the year, there was chatter about a bilateral series between India and Australia. And Australia trying to play, or host England was also a topic of discussion.
But they were hesitant to take a decision on the marquee cricketing events of the calendar. The decision was being pushed back. The political power games between the cricket boards of the member countries was a contributing factor. The debate of a window for the IPL and future of the World Cup must have prolonged the decision-making process.
But they were hesitant to take a decision on the marquee cricketing events of the calendar. The decision was being pushed back. The political power games between the cricket boards of the member countries was a contributing factor. The debate of a window for the IPL and future of the World Cup must have prolonged the decision-making process.
After making headlines for almost two months, a consensus was reached among members on the future of the World Cup. The International Cricket Council (ICC) decided to push the World Cup to 2021. This opened up the window in the months of October-November for the IPL to be scheduled.
The tournament getting a green light from the ICC was only half the battle won. The pandemic, after the proposed gradual lifting of lockdown by the Indian government, worsened in the country. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was hoping the situation would improve enabling the IPL to be held in India.
With each passing day, the event once again was fading away to be a distant dream. Understandably, the BCCI was hesitant to name the location and the schedule. Offers were given by neighbouring countries like Sri Lanka to host the tournament. But the BCCI was exploring avenues of Australia and UAE for the tournament.
With each passing day, the event once again was fading away to be a distant dream. Understandably, the BCCI was hesitant to name the location and the schedule. Offers were given by neighbouring countries like Sri Lanka to host the tournament. But the BCCI was exploring avenues of Australia and UAE for the tournament.
After much deliberation, the UAE was decided as the venue for the 12th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The previous experience of organising the IPL there, in 2014, due to general elections also played a role in the decision. However, unlike in 2014, the entire event, this time around is scheduled in the UAE.
This announcement of the venue along the dates of the tournament brought cheer to the cricketing fans. It was one of the few positives in the melancholic atmosphere pervading in the country. The tournament was to be played between September 19 and November 10. The fans began the countdown to September 19, 2020.
This announcement of the venue along the dates of the tournament brought cheer to the cricketing fans. It was one of the few positives in the melancholic atmosphere pervading in the country. The tournament was to be played between September 19 and November 10. The fans began the countdown to September 19, 2020.
With a bio-bubble around the event, the teams along with the support staff arrived in Dubai a couple of weeks before schedule as per protocol. This was quarantined to minimise the risk of infection due to Covid-19. The only thing left to be announced as the schedule of the matches.
With a bio-bubble around the event, the teams along with the support staff arrived in Dubai a couple of weeks before schedule as per protocol. This was quarantine themselves to minimise the risk of infection due to Covid-19. The only thing left to be announced as the schedule of the matches.
However, an increase in Covid-19 cases over the last few days in the UAE has put the announcement on hold. The latest development announced from the camp of Chennai Super Kings of 10 support staff and one player testing positive for the Coronavirus might delay the announcement a bit further. And the cloud of uncertainty hovers over the IPL.
Photos sourced by the author
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