The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has secretary Jay Shah has confirmed in an interview that the Indian Premier League (IPL) will not be moved overseas. This comes after reports claimed apart of the cash-rich T20 league might be shifted to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) due to the General Elections in India. The General Election dates were announced on Saturday. After the election date announcement, BCCI secretary Jay Shah said in an interview that IPL would not be shifted.
“No, it won’t be moved overseas,” Shah told Cricbuzz on Saturday. The elections will be held from April 19 to June 4. The IPL starts on March 22 with a match in Chennai between MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore. So far, the first two weeks’ dates have been announced.
Earlier, a report in the Times of India said a few BCCI officials are in the UAE to explore the possibility of moving the second half of the IPL to the Gulf country. “The Election Commission of India will announce the election schedule on Saturday at 3 pm. After that, the BCCI will decide whether should be moved to Dubai. Currently, a few top BCCI officials are in Dubai to explore the possibility of organizing the second half of the IPL in Dubai,” TOI quoted a BCCI official as saying.
MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings, who are the defending champions, will take on a star-studded Royall Challenges Bangalore in the opener in Chennai on March 22 at 8 pm IST.
The first weekend will feature two double headers, beginning with the Punjab Kings hosting the Delhi Capitals on Saturday afternoon, followed by the Kolkata Knight Riders hosting the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the evening.
On Sunday afternoon (March 24th), the action will shift to Jaipur, where the home team Rajasthan Royals will face the Lucknow Super Giants. Sunday evening will witness the home team Gujarat Titans, the 2022 champions and finalists of the last season going head-to-head with five-time winners Mumbai Indians.
Having chosen to play their first two home matches in Visakhapatnam, the Delhi Capitals will first host the Chennai Super Kings on Sunday, 31st March in the port city and will then face the Kolkata Knight Riders at the same venue on Wednesday, 3rd April.
(With PTI Inputs)
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