The BCCI is ready host the IPL behind closed doors and is working on “all possible options” to stage the tournament this year, board president Sourav Ganguly has stated.
In a letter to all the affiliated members/units of the BCCI, Ganguly has written: “The BCCI is working on all possible options to ensure that we are able to stage the IPL this year, even if it means playing the tournament in empty stadiums. The fans, franchisees, players, broadcasters, sponsors and all other stakeholders are keenly looking forward to the possibility of IPL being hosted this year.
“Recently a lot of players, both from India and other countries, participating in IPL have also shown their keenness on being a part of this year IPL. We are optimistic and the BCCI will shortly decide on the future course of action on this.”
Some overseas players including Glenn Maxwell and Pat Cummins have publicly extended their backing to the IPL. But Ganguly’s letter that follows the ICC Board meeting on Wednesday, assumes significance because the future of this year’s T20 World Cup in Australia was discussed in the meeting. A postponement of the ICC event could open a window for the IPL in the autumn. Publicly though, the ICC has maintained that they are still exploring all possible options.
The IPL franchise Mumbai Indians will start training on Thursday in Mumbai at the Reliance Stadium on the outskirts of Mumbai at Ghansoli. The players who live in Mumbai, the likes of Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, Krunal Pandya, Dhawal Kulkarni, and Aditya Tare can participate if they wish to do so, the franchise said.
