We don’t want the year 2020 to finish without an IPL – Sourav Ganguly

The Board of Control for Cricket in India president Sourav Ganguly has reassured that the Indian board doesn’t want the year 2020 to end without an IPL. Ganguly has stated that BCCI will try its best to host the glamorous T20 league in the ongoing year. The former Indian captain has revealed that the first priority to host the IPL is in India.

However, it is going to be difficult for the BCCI to host the tournament in the country due to the recent spike in the number of coronavirus cases. Sri Lanka Cricket, Emirates Cricket Board and New Zealand cricket have already extended helping hands towards the BCCI to stage the event.

But during this tumultuous time where all the cricket boards are suffering huge monetary losses, organising the IPL overseas will be a loss for Indian board as well as the eight franchises. Consequently, BCCI is going to prefer hosting the tournament in India.

With the T20 World Cup set to be postponed by ICC on Friday, it would open up the window for the BCCI to host the IPL. This will also give a clear picture to the BCCI to start planning for the lucrative T20 league.

“We don’t want the year 2020 to finish without an IPL. Our first priority is India and even if we get 35 to 40 days, we will host it. But we don’t know where…,” Ganguly said on India Today show ‘Inspiration’.

“I will put it in this order. Firstly, whether we can (have an IPL) within the time frame as IPL has limited window.

“Secondly India. If it’s not possible then we are thinking of going out (abroad). But going out where…because if you go out it becomes expensive for everyone — franchises and board.

“Because of conversion rate and currency exchange rate it becomes expensive. So we are monitoring but as I said we are very keen to host it and get our fingers crossed.”

It is going to be a tricky situation for BCCI if they are looking to host the tourney in India. In fact, at this moment, the Indian board might not get the permission from the government to stage the IPL in the country during the health crisis. Ergo, BCCI will have to explore options of hosting the competition overseas despite bearing the expenses.

It is also known that the Indian board will lose a whopping amount of INR 4000 crores if the IPL doesn’t happen in 2020. The tournament will also be played behind the closed doors which will add salt to the injury as far as the revenue is concerned. BCCI is targeting the September-October window to host the IPL.