IPL 2021 had been suspended by the BCCI after 29 matches were played due to a rise in the number of Covid-19 cases inside the bio-bubble. Till now cases have been detected in Kolkata Knight Riders, Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Capitals, and Sunrisers Hyderabad. Since announcing the suspension of IPL 2021 on Tuesday, the board was looking forward to finding a window and rescheduling the remainder of the tournament, probably sometime in September.
It has previously reported that the BCCI was set to lose an estimated Rs 3000 crores in total revenues if the tournament was not held this year. While talking to The Telegraph, BCCI president Sourav Ganguly revealed the extent of losses if IPL 2021 gets suspended.
“If we fail to complete the IPL, the loss will be close to INR 2500 crore (USD 340 million approximately). That is going by early estimates,”
BCCI will work to find suitable dates in the calendar and stage the remainder of IPL 2021. Since the calendar is jam-packed, it is going to be very difficult to find a window for the tournament. Talking about the rescheduling Ganguly said that the BCCI will have to speak to other boards and see if a window can be made available before the T20 World Cup.
On Thursday, several counties in England had stepped up and offered to play host to the remainder of the IPL. And it makes total sense given the fact that the Indian team is to travel to England for a four-month-long tour to play the World Test Championship against New Zealand, followed by five Tests against the host country that go till September.
Commenting upon the suspension, Ganguly doesn’t consider it a blow but admits things will have to get better before a decision can be taken. The postponement of the IPL 2021 has also raised questions about the T20 world cup which is to be hosted by India in October-November this year.