The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to receive a big setback in finding a window for IPL 2021. The Indian cricket board was going to test the relationship with England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) by requesting a change in schedule for the upcoming five-match Test series between India and England. As per PTI, ECB is not keen on changing dates for the series due to their domestic commitments like The Hundred.
After the World Test Championship final against New Zealand in June, India is set to play five test matches against England. While talking to PTI, a senior BCCI source expressed pessimism about ECB agreeing to make changes to India’s tour of England.
“There is no chance of ECB acceding to BCCI’s request of shifting the dates of the Test series. The ECB have their inaugural ‘Hundred’ from July 24 to August 21. Their broadcast deals and everything is in place. So there is no chance of any shift happening.”
BCCI was reportedly going to move the fifth test from September to make sure that IPL 2021 gets a window before the T-20 World Cup in October. English counties had offered stadiums to host IPL 2021, but the recent reports had suggested that UAE is likely to be the destination for the remaining 31 games of the season.
IPL 2021 had been indefinitely suspended at the start of May due to covid cases in four teams. BCCI had always insisted that the tournament is cancelled, but the Indian board will find it difficult to get a window in 2021 to complete the tournament. The major decision regarding the future of IPL 2021 is likely to come during the special general meeting later this week on May 29. As things stand, the chances of the tournament getting over before the T-20 World Cup are looking bleak.