New Zealand offers to host IPL after UAE and Sri Lanka: BCCI Official

New Zealand is latest country after UAE and Sri Lanka which has offered to host IPL in case billion-dollar league can’t be held in India due to rising cases of Coronavirus. postponement anuncement of T20 World Cup, to be held in October-vember in Australia, is imminent, creating a window for IPL.

BCCI has already zeroed in on end September-early vember window for IPL. board’s first choice is staging tournament at home but that is looking increasingly unlikely with India having third-largest case load of coronavirus cases behind Brazil and USA.

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“Staging event in India has to be first choice but in case it is t safe to have it, n we will look at overseas options. After UAE and Sri Lanka, New Zealand has also offered to host IPL,” a senior BCCI official told PTI on conditions of anymity. We will sit down with all stakeholders (broadcaster, teams, etc) and take a call. safety of players is paramount. re will be compromise on that,” official said.

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IPL has been held overseas in past. entire 2009 edition was std in South Africa due to general election back home and partially in UAE in 2014 due to same reason. However in 2019, despite elections, BCCI mand to schedule IPL in India avoiding clashing with poll dates in various states.

UAE again is front-runner to host tournament if it happens overseas. Sri Lanka is a cost-effective option while New Zealand, which has been largely free from COVID-19, faces feasibility issues. With New Zealand, India has a seven and half hour time difference and even if game starts at 12:30 pm in afteron, maximum office-goers (even those who work from home) will miss action. Apart from Hamilton and Auckland, which can be covered by road, places like Wellington, Christchurch, Napier or Dunedin will require air travel.

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official added that date of IPL Governing Council meeting will be anunced soon and issues pertaining to league, including Chinese sponsorship deals in IPL, will be discussed.

BCCI had called for an IPL GC meet more than two weeks ago following India-China clash at Galwan Valley but date is yet to be anunced. Anti-China sentiment has been on rise in India ever since “violent” face-off between two Asian giants. board has a lucrative five-deal deal in place for IPL title rights with Chinese mobile phone maker Vivo, fetching it Rs 440 crore annually till 2022. Indian companies with Chinese investments like Paytm are also involved in IPL.

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