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IPL 2021 faced postponement due to the high number on COVID-19 cases in the country. The league was postponed on May 4. The main challenge for the game’s resumption would be to find a window, said Rajasthan Royals’ owner Manoj Badale.
“I think the challenge is just finding space and calendar. The players are already playing too much cricket. The calendars are incredibly packed, and particularly this year after COVID-19, boards from around the world are trying to get as many competitions and as many Test matches in as possible,” said Badale in a webinar organised by Rajasthan Royals.
“We are following the media closely. I think the challenge is just finding a space in the calendar. In my opinion, the players are already playing too much cricket. The calendars are incredibly packed. Particularly this year after Covid, boards from around the world are trying to get as many competitions and as many Test matches as possible. I think it’s going to be a real challenge,” he said.
“I think it’s going to be a real challenge. There’s a possibility. I think it’s a small possibility of something in September in the UK or possibly something in the Middle East. Either side of the T20 World Cup, but I think it’s going to be a real challenge,” he added.
It is also being projected that IPL could face a loss of Rs 2500 crore if not completed. Badale said individuals are more likely to face the financial brunt of a cancelled event.
Ashley Giles, the managing director of the England men’s team hinted that Three Lions’ players could back out of IPL if it gets rescheduled.
“We’ve got a full FTP schedule. So if those tours to Pakistan and Bangladesh [in September and October] are going ahead, I’d expect the players to be there,” ESPNcricinfo had quoted Giles as saying.
“The New Zealand scenario was very different. Those Test matches were formalised at the end of January, by which time all those contracts and NOCs [no objection certificates] were signed for full involvement in the IPL,” he further said.
