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BCCI likely to resume IPL 2021 in September-October in UAE
Cricbuzz understands that the BCCI is prepping to conduct the remainder of IPL 2021 in September-October in the UAE. The announcement could be made official after their Special General Meeting (SGM) on May 29.
The 14th edition, which had to be postponed owing to Covid-19, is expected to restart around September 16-20 and finish on October 9-10. The timeline pits the IPL against the upcoming T20 World Cup which begins October 18, with both tournaments competing for time and space. But the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB), the host organizer of the ICC tournament, has given assurances to the BCCI and agreed to make flexible provisions for the IPL scheduling, a development confirmed to Cricbuzz by a BCCI member.
What will make the scheduling tricky is the requirement by the ICC to take over the grounds ten days before the start of the tournament, to prepare for branding and other activities. In that case, Cricbuzz learns that the plan is to schedule the matches in a transitive manner at the three available venues -- Dubai, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi. It will ensure that the league is concentrated at one venue for the final few days and the other two venues can be handed over to the ICC.
