- The ICC (International Cricket Council) has finally announced the postponement of the T20 World Cup originally scheduled in Australia during October-November this year owing to the pandemic concerns. If you recollect, the Cricket Australia had announced its inability to press ahead with the mega event way back in May itself prompting the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) to keep nudging the apex cricket body to officially postpone the event. Finally, the ICC has relented with this announcement.
PC: insidesport
- This move clears the deck for the BCCI to concretize plans for the IPL (Indian Premier League), the marquee event to kick-start after what appeared an eternal wait. Usually organized during the March-April window keeping in mind the light international schedule facilitating the participation of overseas stalwarts, this year’s edition will have to be carried forward in the available October-November window. The BCCI will not mind one bit at all as any action is better than no action at all.
- However, the most significant challenge confronting the Board mandarins would be to finalize the venue for organizing the event amidst raging pandemic fear expected to peak during the coming months coinciding with the available schedule. The Government authorities will not concur with organizing the event if it blatantly compromises the health and safety guidelines mandating specific social distancing norms barring the congregation of a large group of people.
PC: reckontalk
- Holding matches in empty stadiums may be an option worthy of consideration as the template shows in the ongoing England-West Indies series. Creating a bio-secure environment should not be an issue. Cricket crazy fans in the country would not mind watching their beloved sport on television if the circumstances rule out a large physical presence in stadiums as it appears right now. Any cricketing activity would be welcome. Restricting to a few nearby stadiums in a metro like Mumbai should be explored as an option.
- There are three international standard cricket stadiums within the topographical location of the city if the Board wishes to organize the event in the country. If found unfeasible and financially unviable, overseas venues could be explored. Under the present circumstances, holding the event abroad appears more prudent. Reports emerging suggest that the UAE, New Zealand, and Sri Lankan cricket Boards have evinced interest in organizing the cash-rich and extremely popular franchise-based tournament in their respective countries. The UAE appears the most likely venue.
PC: khaleejtimes
- The festive season of October-November presents a convenient timeframe to reap the cricket starved audience’s eyeballs. Therefore, the BCCI should prime up to make quick moves to freeze the venue at the earliest and start preparing for the mega event in the right earnest.
