Vaughan suggests five-week IPL in lead-up to T20 World Cup
As the COVID-19 pandemic has gripped India, former England captain Michael Vaughan has suggested a five-week Indian Premier League tournament, leading up to the ICC T20 World Cup scheduled to be held in Australia between October 18 and November 15.
In a tweet, posted on Wednesday (April 2), Vaughan has said players would use the shortened version of the IPL as a warm-up for the bigger tournament.
Here’s a thought .. The IPL is played for the 5 weeks leading up to the T20 World Cup in Oz .. all players use it as the great warm up for the WC .. then the WC happens .. So important for the game that the IPL takes place but also the WC .. ?? https://t.co/ftKA4c5JWv
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) April 2, 2020
Going by Vaughan’s suggestion, he is expecting IPL in the September window. However, India are supposed to play Asia Cup in the UAE in September, hosted by the Pakistan Cricket Board. After the Asia Cup, England are supposed to visit India to play three ODIs and three T20Is.
“September is the time when there is monsoon in India. Mumbai will be under water, there could be steady rain in Chennai. It is a decision that cant be taken that lightly,” a senior BCCI official told PTI on condition of anonymity.
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There is a suggestion to do away with the T20 World Cup in October-November and hand that slot to the BCCI for conducting of IPL but sources in ICC as well as BCCI feels that its too premature to comment at the moment.
“You don’t know the situation tomorrow. Let there be a sign that the curve is flattening and normalcy can return. Thats when you start discussing options,” the BCCI source said.
So far, India has around 2,000 positive cases with over 50 deaths reported. The country is currently under a 21-day lockdown.
