BCCI contemplate about shifting IPL 2019 to South Africa

IPL 2019 will need a shift because of the general election in India.

The second edition of IPL was played in South Africa | Getty

Bearing in mind the next year’s general elections in the country, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are contemplating about moving the IPL 2019 to South Africa. The board officials are also considering UAE as a possible partial venue.

As per a report published in Mumbai Mirror, It is now certain that IPL 12 will need a shift, like in the previous two general election years – to South Africa in 2009 and to UAE in 2014 – and the BCCI have started planning for the 2019 edition.

The report also claims that there are three plans that have been put in place by the Committee of Administrators (CoA) and the BCCI management headed by CEO Rahul Johri and IPL COO Hemang Amin. If the tournament has to be fully moved out of India, South Africa is the preferred country for it. In the case of a partial shift, UAE might host the cash-rich event. As a venue, England has also been discussed but it is least preferred because of the high cost involved.

Considering the presence of a huge Indian population, UAE is the ideal choice but the impression is its limited infrastructure which is said to be inadequate for the league. UAE boasts only three major grounds – in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi – and that can accommodate only a part of the IPL and not the entire tournament. Therefore, South Africa is the most preferred country in case of a need to move the whole event.

Although BCCI officials are yet to make any official statement on this matter, a highly-placed authority told Mumbai Mirror about the multiple plans. A couple of franchises also disclosed to Mirror about being informally informed about the options. The options will be discussed during a CoA meeting which is due to take place in Mumbai on Tuesday (September 11).

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 11 Sep, 2018

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