IPL 2020: WHY OFFICIAL BROADCASTER 'STAR TV SPORTS' NOT HAPPY WITH SCHEDULE AND DATES? - REPORT

The 13th edition of the Indian Premiere League 2020 is taking place at UAE as the country does not have strict quarantine rules and tourists are welcome. Hence, the tournament is likely to happen between September 26 and November 14.

The BCCI has provided a 44 days window to host 60 matches. While these plans were informed to Star India, the host broadcaster, they called it ‘constricted scheduling.’

TOI reported that the broadcaster is not happy with the dates and has requested BCCI to extend the window by a week in order to coincide with the Diwali weekend. But if the dates are postponed by a week, then India will not be able to tour Australia under the current quarantine requirements, responded BCCI.

A senior board official confirmed the same, “If the IPL concludes by November 8, the team can fly to Australia by the 10th, undergo Covid tests and start practice and warm-up matches so that the first Test can begin as scheduled. Also, India might want to play a day-night warm-up game ahead of the proposed day-night Test, and that will add days to the schedule.”

Although the aforementioned date was brought up several times by the apex council, they are expected to be made official soon. The final approval is pending and is likely to follow the postponement of ICC T20 World Cup.