The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is exploring the possibility of organising the second half of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in the UAE. According to a report in the Times of India, 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 decision could be taken as the dates of the General Elections might clash with the second half of the IPL. The Election Commission is expected to announce the date of the elections on Saturday, March 16.
“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.
Reports have been rampant that some of the franchises have already asked the players to submit their passports.
For the unversed, the first half of IPL 2014 was also held in the UAE due to the General Elections.
Last month, the BCCI announced the schedule of first half of the IPL, which includes 21 matches.
Lucknow Super Giants will face Gujarat Titans on April 7 in the final game of the first half of the tournament.
Meanwhile, 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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