IPL starts Sept. 19 in UAE, final on Nov. 8

UAE to decide on allowing spectators in stadia; players to follow Covid rules

After much pull, the BCCI has finally pushed its way through, and will hold the annual Indian Premier League, its blue riband event, in the United Arab Emirates from September 19 to November 8. Defending champions Mumbai Indians will take on Chennai Super Kings to kickstart the party on a Saturday night.

IPL Governing Council chairman Brijesh Patel revealed the dates on Friday, setting off cheer among cricket circles, moreso fans, who have been deprived of exciting action ever since sporting activity was shut down, courtesy the Covid-19 pandemic that has gripped the world.

Contrary to speculation, there will be no cutting corners for the centrepiece event.

“It is a full-fledged 51-day IPL,” Patel said. Eight teams will play each other twice over 56 matches followed by the three playoffs (Qualifier 1, Eliminator and Qualifier 2) contested by the top four before the winner-takes-all final scheduled for 8 pm start on a Sunday.

Games in the glitzy league will start at 4 and 8 pm India time with some double headers lined up at weekends.

Matches will most likely be played in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. All three cities boast of quality cricket infrastructure and have hosted international matches before. Whether spectators will be allowed at the stadia remains unclear.

“To allow the crowd or not depends on the UAE government, it’s their decision,” Patel said.

The Governing Council will meet shortly to draw up operating standards and protocol to counter the fast-spreading Coronavirus. The players will no doubt be confined to biobubbles with rigorous restrictions in place, as is the case with the England and West Indies teams currently playing a Test series in the UK.

Kings XI Punjab coowner Ness Wadia pitched for stern precautions. “Strict safety protocols have to be put in place both for off-field and on-field activities to make the IPL safe and successful. They should not be compromised,” he said.

Teams are likely to arrive in the UAE mid-August for the players to get acclimatised to the conditions and have sufficient time to tune themselves up for the gruelling grind via training sessions at the expansive ICC Academy in Dubai.

It’s not a first though. Having played the first half of 2014 IPL in the UAE owing to general elections back home, the BCCI, players and the franchisees know the game only too well.