New Zealand offers to stage IPL 2020 says BCCI official

After UAE and Sri Lanka, New Zealand becomes the latest entry in league of nations willing to host IPL 2020, if it happens outide the nation.

Gauri Chandra
Published on: 6 July 2020 1:00 PM GMT
New Zealand offers to stage IPL 2020 says BCCI official
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New Delhi: Amid staggering coronavirus cases in India, the chances of staging Indian Premier League 2020 appear slim. After UAE and Sri Lanka, New Zealand becomes the latest entry in league of nations willing to host IPL 2020. However, BCCI has already stated earlier that India will be the prior nation for hosting Indian Premier League. India now stands at 3rd position for having highest COVID-19 cases after Brazil and USA. Seeing all this, the chances of staging IPL in India seem unlikely.

BCCI staged IPL outside nation on various occasions. South-Africa hosted the entire season of 2009 because of general elections in India. Also, UAE hosted IPL partly in 2014 due to same reason.

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BCCI official told PTI regarding IPL-

"Staging the event in India has to be the first choice but in case it is not safe to have it, then we will look at the overseas options. UAE, Sri Lanka and New Zealand have also offered to host the IPL."

"We will sit down with all stakeholders (broadcaster, teams, etc) and take a call. The safety of the players is paramount. There will be no compromise on that," the official added.

UAE is seen as the most practical contender for hosting IPL 2020 if it happens outside India. However, Sri Lanka stands best on the front of cost cutting. New Zealand has largely become COVID-19 free, but it is not getting practically feasible with them. NZ runs 7:30 hrs ahead of India in time zones, so even if it starts in morning there, most of the working people will miss on action in India.

Cricket ground from New Zealand

BCCI kept the Sept-Nov window for the IPL, but the official dates are yet to announce. IPL Governing Council meeting has to take place, post which final decision may arrive. Issue related to Chinese sponsorship in the league will also be dealt.

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Gauri Chandra

Gauri Chandra

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