Reports – BCCI pondering over hosting Indian T20 League 2022 in South Africa
Sourav Ganguly (Photo by PUNIT PARANJPE/AFP via Getty Images)
The worsening situation of COVID-19 in India has left the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in a tricky position. The board is keen to stage the upcoming edition of the Indian T20 League (ITL) in India but the chaotic situation has forced them to ponder about other alternative venues as well. As per reports, the BCCI is now mulling over staging the tournament in South Africa or Sri Lanka.
In the last two seasons, UAE was the preferred pick for the board. However, given that the country is planning to stage its own league and also the stringent COVID-19 curbs it has imposed, it is not an option anymore.
South Africa hosted the second edition of the Indian T20 League and was a big success. Over the years, the IPL matches have stretched way beyond midnight and many players have complained of not getting enough rest. Playing in South Africa will allow the matches to finish at 4:00 PM South Africa time, if the matches start at regular Indian time of 7:30 PM. The BCCI is also impressed with Cricket South Africa’s arrangements for the Indian team in South Africa and thus, the rainbow nation is their top alternative venue for the T20 extravaganza.
“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 a BCCI official as per Indian Express.
Meanwhile, the mega auction for the ITL 2022 is all set to take place in the second week of February.
