The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is looking at every possible option to complete the suspended IPL 2021.
Earlier, it was reported that the BCCI has requested ECB to shift the five-Test series between India and England, starting August 4, by a week in order to accommodate the remaining 31 games of IPL 14.
See Also: BCCI CEO wants IPL 2021 in UAE; franchises in agreement over the tried and tested option
While the ECB spokesperson confirmed last week that the Indian board hasn’t made any formal request, a PTI report claims that the informal discussions between the officials of both organisations have not yielded any positive result.
"There is no chance of ECB acceding to BCCI's request of shifting the dates of the Test series. Since they have made their stand point clear informally, I don't think there is any point of making a formal request," a senior BCCI source in the know of things told PTI.
"The ECB have their inaugural 'Hundred' from July 24 to August 21. Their broadcast deals and everything is in place. So there is no chance of any shift happening," the source said.
After the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final against New Zealand from June 18-22, Team India will have a gap of six weeks before the five-Test series starts against England.
The Pataudi Trophy is scheduled to begin in Nottingham (Aug-4-8), followed by Lord's (Aug 12-16), Leeds (Aug 25-29), Oval (Sep 2-6) and Manchester (Sep 10-14).
However, a potential start in the last week of July, with lesser gaps between the Tests would open the entire month of September, allowing the BCCI to complete the second leg of IPL 2021.
Earlier, former England skipper Michael Atherton hinted that ECB won't listen to BCCI's request.
"At this late stage it is hard to see the ECB acceding to any potential change and it is expected to hold its ground," Atherton wrote in 'The Times'.
"The fifth Test of the India series is due to be held at Emirates Old Trafford between September 10-14.
Apparently, Lancashire have already sold tickets for three full days and likely to sell the match out completely in due course.
"Moving the game at this late stage to earlier in the season would create logistical headaches for Lancashire, the ECB and the England team, not to say those spectators who have spent money and planned to attend," Atherton reasoned in his article.
According to the report, the BCCI has already started talks with various boards about the window between September 15 to October 15 for the remainder of IPL 2021, with UAE being shortlisted as the venue.
"In case of World T20, the BCCI won't take a call now but for all practical reasons and an expected third wave, the chances of the global event happening in the UAE post IPL looks like a distinct possibility," the source said.
(With PTI inputs)
