Remainder of the IPL is not possible this year because of tight International schedule and T20 World Cup 2021, as per Butcher.
Former England cricketer and commentator Mark Butcher believes that conducting the remainder of the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2021) wouldn’t be possible this year as there is ICC T20 World Cup 2021 in October-November and the other international assignments lie ahead.
The IPL 2021 was postponed after several players and support staff tested positive for COVID-19 on May 4 and now the BCCI and IPL governing council are looking at the September window to complete the T20 league.
Well, Butcher hopes that the T20 World Cup 2021 will be held in India later this year, but doesn’t see any chances of having the remainder of the IPL 14 given the packed international calendar this year.
Butcher told Cricket.com: “The thought going forward is going to be 'How do we finish the IPL 2021'? And my thinking is I don't think you can. The T20 World Cup will hopefully be in India in October. The Indian cricket team is going to be in England… June, July, and August.”
The Englishman further explained, “All international sides will have their warm-ups, matches, tours and etc. in preparation for the World Cup. And then the international calendar rolls on. There simply isn't room to shoehorn the remaining group games and the Playoffs.
As much as we have tried to juggle the cricketing calendar, at some point we have to say no this time and allow a bit of breathing space. It's great shame, great pity, but we'll see you next year hopefully when things are a little bit back to normal.”
Butcher also pointed out that the mandatory quarantine rules due to the COVID-19 pandemic along with other factors will make it difficult for the BCCI to host the remaining matches of IPL 14 this year.
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He added, “Money talks at the end of the day, but as I said, the rest of the international teams have got schedules and build-up to the World Cup. And you have to factor in that it isn't about just flying in to play the matches. You have to quarantine when you get there and get back.”
Butcher signed off by saying, “There isn't time unless we create a couple of extra weeks in the calendar, I don't see how it can be done and allow everyone to comfortably and reasonably to do the preparations that they had planned for an important tournament.”