While the BCCI is grappling with scheduling the second phase of the IPL 2021, reports have emerged that they may extend the window till October 15. According to Insidesport, any extension past October 10 will not be appreciated by the ICC.
BCCI announced last month that the remaining matches of IPL 2021 will be played in the September-October window in the UAE while, it will inform the ICC about its ability to host the ICC T20 World Cup in India by June 30. It is believed that the BCCI officials are in touch with several different cricket boards as it tries to navigate this situation. Earlier this week, it was reported that IPL 2021 will resume on September 19 and conclude on October 15.
Meanwhile, ICC had previously announced the tentative window for ICC T20 World Cup in India. As per an ICC media release, dated July 20, 2020, the T20 World Cup is supposed to start around mid-October and the finals for November 14.
The T20 World Cup window is meant to keep a gap of at least one year between the World Cups as Australia will host the T20 WC in 2022 and India will host the 50-over WC in 2023. ICC also had planned so that it doesn’t clash with any of the already scheduled bilateral series. More importantly, as per the ICC’s understanding with the member boards, no tournament should be scheduled 7-10 days before the ICC event. BCCI also has to handle the CPL window clash with the initial matchdays, as franchises wait for answers for the availability of foreign players (West Indian players in particular).
BCCI is known for coming out of the toughest of the situations in World Cricket – but this time this will be quite the task, to first manage IPL 2021 in a short window and then convincing the member boards to agree to release their players right before the T20 World Cup. Based on current information, only time will tell how the situation pans out.