The 14th edition of the Indian T20 League is all set to begin on April 11, the Times of India (TOI) has reported. According to the report, the tournament would reach its conclusion in the first week of June, around June 6.
With the India-England series scheduled to end on March 28, it will give ample time to the cricketers to complete their commercial endorsements for their respective franchises.
“The final decision will be taken by IPL GC but 11th April is the tentative date to start IPL 2021," a BCCI official was quoted as saying by TOI. "The series against England finishes in March and players will get good break with 11th April start for IPL 14th."
The BCCI is planning to host the Indian T20 League 2021 in India after the conclusion of a women’s one-day tournament and the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Additionally, the Indian cricket board has already earmarked the Wankhede, Brabourne Stadiums, DY Patil Stadium, Reliance Cricket Stadium in Navi Mumbai, and the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium on the outskirts of Pune for the Indian T20 League in India.
The newly-revamped Sardar Patel Stadium in Motera, Ahmedabad, is also being considered for hosting the knockouts of the tournament. Motera is scheduled to host the final two Tests between India and England and the entire five-match T20I series prior to the Indian T20 League.
The BCCI successfully conducted the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament, which has given them added confidence to conduct the upcoming Indian T20 League at home.
Due to the ongoing global pandemic, the Indian T20 League 2020 had to be shifted out of the country to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Earlier, BCCI treasurer Arun Singh Dhumal had told PTI, "We are working on having the IPL in India and we are hopeful that we would be able to organize it. We are not even thinking of a backup also at this point in time, we are wanting to do it here. India is probably safer than UAE at this point. Hopefully, the situation remains stable and keep improving and we will have it here.”
Meanwhile, the mini-auction for the upcoming edition of the Indian T20 League will be held on February 18 in Chennai.
Feature image courtesy: IPL
