The eagerly-awaited Indian Premier League (IPL) will start on September 19 in the United Arab Emirates with the final slated on November 8. While the IPL Governing Council will meet next week to chalk out the final details and approve the schedule, it is understood that the BCCI has informally intimated the franchises about the plan. "IPL in all likelihood will start on September 19 (Saturday) and the final will be held on November 8 (Sunday). It is a 51-day window which will suit the franchises as well as the broadcasters and other stakeholders," a senior BCCI official told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
The IPL has been made possible by the ICC's decision to postpone the October-November T20 World Cup in Australia owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Standard Operating Procedure to combat the Covid-19 threat is being prepared and the BCCI will formally write to the Emirates Cricket Board. The dates have been decided keeping in mind Indian team's tour of Australia as the players will have a mandatory quarantine of 14 days as per the Australian government rules.
