BCCI office-bearers are hopeful of getting a small window for the IPL 2020 if the T20 World Cup in Australia gets canceled. On a teleconference, the BCCI officials also gave a thought to India’s domestic and international seasons.

The ICC T20 event is scheduled for Oct-Nov this year in Australia and while the office-bearers agreed that there was very little chance of any cricket taking place in India until later this year, the talk of the ICC event getting pushed back at least gave the BCCI a window to slot the IPL.

But it remains a sliver of hope given that no. of COVID 19 cases in India went past 56,000 with more than 1880 people dead, which means there is no hope for the commencement of sports until later this year.

CA, ICC to discuss fate of T20 World Cup in Australia on May 8

On the other hand, even as cases in Australia go down, they have closed their borders for six months and even Cricket Australia (CA), jointly with the ICC, has been exploring alternate options. The majority of the ICC members are in agreement that a global event like the T20 World Cup can’t be staged behind closed doors.

“A one or two-match (T20 series) before empty stands may happen. But a big event like the World Cup, I don’t think it will happen. If there’s a possibility to organize the IPL (in autumn), we will go for it, but at the moment we are not in a position to take a call,” a BCCI functionary told The Indian Express.

One of his colleagues sounded more cautious about the future.

“See, at the moment we aren’t sure about anything. One thing we are very sure, we can’t take any chances (about the safety of players, officials, and spectators). We will see what they (CA and ICC) decide about the T20 World Cup and will act accordingly,” he said.

It is clear that BCCI will start formulating anything only after getting the green light from the government. And even if the BCCI gets an opportunity to organize the IPL in October-November, the participation of overseas players might not be a problem.

“Cricket boards that are issuing NOCs to their players for the IPL get 10 percent each based on the total contract value of the players from the respective boards. Given the current (economic) situation, everybody would like to maintain a good rapport with the BCCI,” said a source.

(Indian Express inputs)