The Indian Cricket Board has decided to call off an international home series; whereas as one more is posed to be tweaked a bit to create a short window for the remaining Indian Premier League games.
If the Board of Control for Cricket in India is the richest governing body for the sport, Indian Premier League is the determining factor. If the Indian cricketers – international and domestic as well – are the most-rewarded in the sport worldwide, the major source of revenue comes from the IPL. If the BCCI were able to offer best benevolence to its retired cricketers, the generosity is made possible by the revenues generated through cash-rich professional league.
To put things in perspective, the Indian cricket board will sacrifice any other event to safeguard the IPL. Expectedly, the BCCI is gearing up to call off at least one proposed international series and tweak one more. All in an endeavour to complete the remaining 31 matches of the IPL Season 14.
The BCCI has reportedly cancelled the limited overs home series against South Africa. The series were to be used as a preparatory tournament for the IPL. The Proteas were to play 3 ODIs and as many T20Is in India before the ICC T20 World Cup, to be hosted by the BCCI.
It is learnt that the board is also considering tweaking the series with New Zealand.
There are “certain” plans to complete the IPL in a 21-day window between September and October in the UAE. Since the league will have to be completed before October 18, the day T20 World Cup is scheduled to start; there remains no room for the SA series.
A senior BCCI functionary has confirmed to The Sportinghub that there IPL will also be the best opportunity for the players to prepare for the World Cup. “The World Cup undoubtedly will also have to be moved to the UAE. The IPL will be a best opportunity for the players to warm up for the World Cup playing competitive cricket on the same grounds,” said the former BCCI functionary, who is privy to the developments.
Meanwhile, India will complete their all commitments on the tour of England and then players will directly move from one bio-bubble to another for the IPL.
The cricket season in West Asia this year going to be unexpectedly long with the Pakistan Super League, IPL, the T20 World Cup and Pakistan Cricket Board’s bilateral series all set to move the United Arab Emirates. Add to that the local and domestic cricket of the Emirates’ nations.
