BCCI’s ‘Plan B’ for IPL
The whole of India is currently facing the third wave of corona virus. This epidemic has also affected cricket and other sports in India. As a result, the Cricket Board of India (BCCI) had to postpone major tournaments like Ranji Trophy, CK Nayudu Trophy.
The speed with which Corona cases are coming in India has put BCCI in trouble. Organizing the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 at home may also be in trouble now. In such a situation, like the last two seasons, BCCI has started working on Plan B.
According to reports, BCCI can organize IPL in South Africa or Sri Lanka. IPL has been organized in South Africa due to the Lok Sabha elections in the year 2009. A BCCI official told the Indian Express, “We cannot depend on UAE all the time, so we have decided to explore more options.”
India’s time is 3 hours 30 minutes ahead of South Africa. If broadcasters stick to their preferred prime start at 7.30 pm, the first ball of the match in South Africa will be bowled at 4 pm. Over the years, players have often complained about IPL games ending late at night. Due to continuous air travel as well as indefinite match timings, players get less time to rest and recover.
Another factor that forced the Indian board to look to South Africa was the current Test series and the India A tour before that. The feedback received from the Test team has played an important role in the decision of BCCI. However, the Indian team has been in a bio-bubble since the start of the tour last month.
The host South African Cricket Board has made arrangements for huge hotels and resorts for Team India, due to which BCCI is very much impressed. There have been concerns about the mental health of players since the resumption of sports in times of pandemic, as they have been living in a bio-bubble for a long time. This time 10 teams are involved in IPL, so season 15 will be the longest season so far.
The BCCI official said, ‘The place where the Indian team had stopped for the second Test is spread over several acres. There were tracks and even a pond to roam around. This has made things easier for the players, who were confined to their rooms on several foreign tours for the past few years.
