BCCI likely to organise IPL-2022 in Sri Lanka or South Africa: Reports

New Delhi: With the rise in Covid cases in India, the doubts are also constantly growing over where will the IPL be held.

While BCCI was keen on hosting the tournament in Maharashtra, the latest report hints that the Indian board is planning to move the 2022 edition of the Indian Premier League to South Africa. Team India is currently playing three-match Test series followed by as many ODIs out there. Sri Lanka is the third choice, if things don’t improve in the coming months.

The last two seasons (2021 partially), BCCI moved the tournament to the UAE after the rise of COVID-19 cases in India. However, the board is looking for a new country this time to host IPL. BCCI official while speaking to the Indian Express said that one cannot be dependant on UAE all the time and hence they are exploring for other options.

“We can’t be dependent on UAE all the time so we decided to explore more options, South Africa’s time difference also works out well for the players,” said the BCCI official as quoted by Indian Express.

According to reports, the arrangements of South Africa for the ongoing Test series has pleased the Indian cricket board. “The place where the team was staying for the second Test is spread over several acres. There were walking tracks and even a pond on the property. This made things easier for the players who for the last couple of years or so have been confined to their rooms on several overseas tours,” added the source.

Sri Lanka is also alternate venue for IPL. The BCCI is considering to approach the Island nation as the number of cases are very low out there. The official said timing of both South Africa and Sri Lanka works well for the IPL.

However, recently BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla had said that BCCI will try to host the IPL 2022 itself. “We will try to ensure that the Indian Premier League happens and in India. But we will see into this matter again in March, that how is Covid situation then.” Shukla said to ANI on Tuesday.

Although no official dates have been set, the cash-rich league is expected to begin in early April, with the auction possibly taking place earlier in February.