We can have IPL with only Indian players – Chairman Brijesh Patel

The Indian Premier League governing council chairman Brijesh Patel has hinted that the tournament can go ahead with only Indian players if there would be an issue in the travel of the overseas players.

Patel had already confirmed yesterday (11 June) that the Indian board is targeting the September-October window for the IPL if the Asia Cup and T20 World Cup is postponed.

By September-October, the travel restrictions are expected to be lifted but if it is not going to be the case, then the BCCI might go ahead without foreign players.

However, franchises like Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders have suggested that they don’t want the IPL to take place without foreign stars.

In fact, one of the franchise officials had earlier stated that having IPL without any foreign players will be similar to Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament.

“I think by then (September-October), international travel would have started. Preferably, we would want international cricketers participating. But it’s not that we can’t have it with only Indian players,” Patel told Hindustan Times in an interview.

On the other hand, Patel feels it would be better for them if the ICC takes a quick decision on the fate of the T20 World Cup and then they can accordingly start planning for the IPL.

The ICC was first expected to take a call on the global event on 28th May but it was postponed to June 10 but now the governing council has decided to defer the decision to July.

“The broadcasters are very positive. The players want to play. They have been home for two-and-a-half months. Everyone wants IPL. But an early decision from ICC is very important. Players, franchises and the board can then start preparing,” Patel revealed.

Despite this delay, the BCCI president Sourav Ganguly has confirmed that they are looking to host the IPL even if it would be without crowd. It is well known that the BCCI will lose a huge sum of INR 4000 crores if the IPL doesn’t happen in 2020. Thus, the Indian board will look to host the event at all cost.

Furthermore, Patel and BCCI treasurer Arun Dhumal have confirmed that the Indian board is open to host the IPL overseas. In fact, Sri Lanka Cricket and UAE cricket board have extended their helping hand towards the BCCI to host the glamorous T20 league.