Xtra Time Web Desk: If a report is to be believed, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) may reschedule the Indian Premier League (IPL) this season to July-September. The cash-rich league has already been postponed until April 15 due to the coronavirus outbreak. But the chances of the tournament commencing during that time is looking bleak at the moment, as there is not much an improvement of the situation arising out of COVID-19.
The report claims that the April-May window may not be ideal as there is no assurance on whether the deadly virus would subside by then but on the contrary, if they explore the July-September window, the environment will be a lot better. But the biggest concern will be the monsoon season which can play a spoilsport for most matches.
The July-September window could also work in the BCCI’s favour as there is not much international cricket during that period. England is set to host Pakistan for a full series and there is the Asia Cup between these months as well apart from India’s tour of Sri Lanka during the period July-September. The England and Wales Cricket Board’s The Hundred tournament will get over in July itself.
This will allow the Indian board to conduct the full quota of 60 matches instead of a truncated edition of the tournament which looks likely if it is staged around April 15. It is worth highlighting in this case that the second edition of the cash-rich league which was played in South Africa happened inside 37 days and a similar window could be just about enough for BCCI to go ahead with the league in India or abroad.