|| Desk Report ||

Although UAE and Sri Lanka have emerged as options to host the Indian Premier League (IPL), the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) finally chose United Arab Emirates (UAE). after being confirmed by the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) to host the 2020 IPL.

It’s learnt from a confidential source that the BCCI was forced to take the final decision to stage the cash-rich T20 League outside India with sports activities coming to a halt in the country due to Covid-19 and the number of cases on the rise.

The Indian Board meanwhile planned to hold a national camp for its contracted players in Dubai after being confirmed by the UAE.

All the franchise owners met earlier this week and they had no problems in the IPL going overseas this year. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is looking at a September-November window.

The BCCI has been quietly looking for partners to host the IPL. The tournament brings in almost 4,000 crores of revenue to the Indian cricket board from global broadcasting rights and sponsorship.

The eight franchises each get a 50 per cent share of BCCI’s revenue from broadcast rights. IPL teams can make a profit of anything between 100-150 crores each season.

UAE earlier hosted the IPL in 2014 when a portion of the IPL was held in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi because of the general elections which clashed with its 20 matches of the initial phase.

Given the coronavirus protocols, the matches in the UAE will be held in front of the empty stadiums.

“That’s not a problem. IPL is more made for TV and the gate receipts will not be as much even if the crowds come in,” said an IPL Franchise owner.