BCCI not going to push to postpone T20 World Cup to open up window for IPL

The ICC to make final call on T20 World Cup by August.

The Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) is not looking to push for the postponement of the ICC T20 World Cup 2020 to be played in Australia later this year, in order to open up a window to play the IPL 2020.

However, the BCCI will consider staging the IPL in October/November slot if it becomes available, a senior BCCI member told Reuters.

No thanks to the Coronavirus pandemic, the BCCI had to postpone the almost $530 million worth IPL 13 which was supposed to begin on March 29. The pandemic has also cast a shadow of doubt on the T20 World Cup as well which begins on October 18.

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Reports in Australian media have suggested India's influential board may look to push for the World Cup to be postponed to open up a window for the IPL.

"Why should the BCCI suggest postponing the Twenty20 World Cup? We'll discuss it in the meeting and whatever is appropriate, (the ICC) will take a call. If the Australia government announces that the tournament will happen and Cricket Australia is confident they can handle it, it will be their call. BCCI would not suggest anything,” BCCI treasurer Arun Dhumal told Reuters.

Australia has seen new infections slow down considerably and the country is being opened up gradually, but hosting a 16-team event maybe even out of bounds for Cricket Australia, given the ban on international travel and quarantine periods.

"It all depends on what the Australian government says on this - whether they'd allow so may teams to come and play the tournament. Will it make sense to play games without spectators? Will it make sense for CA to stage such a tournament like that? It's their call,” Dhumal added.

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On the other hand, CA chief Kevin Roberts has guarded about prospects of the T20 World Cup.

"We don't have clarity on that one, yet. But as the situation continues to improve, you never know what might be possible. It's ultimately a decision for the ICC,” Roberts said.

The ICC has said it was unlikely to make a final call on the fate of the World Cup until August but some boards are in the process of making contingency plans in the event of a postponement.

The BCCI has recognized an open October-November window would suit the IPL, however, Dhumal said, "If we have the window available, and depending on what all can be organized, we'll decide accordingly. We can't presume that it's not happening and go on planning."

(Reuters inputs)