IPL 2021: Sri Lankan Cricket in race to host remainder of IPL
Sri Lanka Cricket chief, Prof. Arjuna de Silva hopeful for a September window after Lanka Premier League (LPL).
Among few other venues to choose from, IPL now has a new host venue that has offered to host the remainder of IPL. This time it’s Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). Joining in with the other probable hosts, SLC self-nominated. This announcement came a day after many of England’s county clubs showed interest in hosting IPL.
Prof. Arjuna de Silva hopeful for a September window after Lanka Premier League (LPL). He further explained that LCL will end in July-August, pitches and other facilities will be ready for IPL.
“Yes, we can certainly provide a window to host the IPL in the month of September”, Arjuna de Silva told Deccan Chronicle in an exclusive telephonic interview from Colombo. “We hear the UAE (United Arab Emirates) is their one option but Sri Lanka can not be ignored for all reasons. We are planning to host the Lanka Premier League (LPL) in July-August and the grounds and other infrastructure will be ready for the IPL in September”, he added.
Sri Lanka Cricket offers window to host IPL – Indian media https://t.co/2laWPDL5cZ
— NewsWire 🇱🇰 (@NewsWireLK) May 7, 2021
As per ESPNcricinfo, The Kia Oval (London), Edgbaston (Birmingham) and Emirates Old Trafford and MCC, Surrey, Warwickshire, and Lancashire, who are based at Lord’s, through England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) inviting them to reach out to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Also, United Arab Emirates (UAE) is in talks and is considered to be the frontrunner for hosting as it had a successful IPL last year.
The only challenge SLC face is to create a long window around September with a jam-packed Indian schedule. With 31 IPL matches to be played, it will be interesting to see which way BCCI will head. IPL was suspended amid surging COVID-19 numbers and multiple COVID-19 breaks out in different teams.