CPL chief hoping Caribbean T20 league isn't affected by IPL rescheduling 

The BCCI is looking at a new window to conduct the IPL 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemic.

CPL 2020 is due to be held in August-September | GettyCaribbean Premier League (CPL) chief executive officer Pete Russell is hoping that the franchise-based regional T20 league isn't affected by the rescheduling of the IPL. 

With the BCCI looking for a new window to conduct the IPL 2020, which remains suspended due to COVID-19 pandemic, Russell is keeping fingers crossed over the CPL 2020, scheduled to be played from August 19 till September 26. 

Read Also: BCCI official denies receiving any proposal to host IPL from SLC

"We wouldn't go up against it. While I know the BCCI is all-powerful in these things, there has to be some sensible consideration around what players and other leagues are doing," Russell told ESPNcricinfo.

"I think IPL would want all the West Indian players to be playing in their tournament - it wouldn't make sense for them to play at the same time as CPL when a lot of their stars are playing with us."

"That would defeat the objective. I don't think they need to do that, either. They can figure out their own window, for sure."

The Caribbean is thankfully dealing better with the deadly outbreak, as the number of positive cases in the region hasn't yet reached an alarming level. The six countries that host the CPL have so far reported collective death figures of less than double digits.

"It's good that the Caribbean has locked down early, and it hasn't been hit in the same way as the UK, for example," said Russell. "We're looking at different permutations in terms of what could or couldn't happen, but the lucky thing is that we've got a bit of time - we don't have to force a decision."

"I don't think there's any question that we'll be able to play it. We're only going to play if it's safe to do so, but we've been approached by a lot of the countries who want it to happen."

"The reason (for that) is that it's a big sporting event, and it could act as a sign or a marker that the Caribbean is open for business again," he added. 

(Inputs from PTI)

 
 

By Kashish Chadha - 18 Apr, 2020

    Share Via