New Zealand offers to host Indian Premier League: BCCI

NEW DELHI: New Zealand is the latest country after the United Arab Emirates and Sri Lanka which has offered to host the Indian Premier League in case the T20 league can't be held in India due to rising cases of coronavirus.

The postponement announcement of the T20 World Cup which was scheduled to be held in October-November in Australia, is imminent, creating a window for the IPL.

The BCCI has already zeroed in on the end September-early November window for the 13th edition of IPL.

The board's first choice is staging the tournament at home but that is looking increasingly unlikely with India having the third largest case load of coronavirus cases only behind Brazil and United States.

"Staging the event in India has to be the first choice but in case it is not safe to have it, then we will look at the overseas options. After UAE and Sri Lanka, New Zealand has also offered to host the IPL," a senior BCCI official said.

"We will sit down with all stakeholders (broadcaster, teams, etc) and take a call. The safety of the players is paramount. There will be no compromise on that," the official said.

The IPL has been held overseas in the past. The entire 2009 edition was staged in South Africa due to the general election back home and partially in the UAE in 2014 due to the same reason.

However in 2019, despite elections, the BCCI managed to schedule the IPL in India avoiding clashing with poll dates in various states.

The UAE again is the front-runner to host the tournament if it happens overseas. Sri Lanka is a cost-effective option while New Zealand, which has been largely free from COVID-19, faces feasibility issues.

With New Zealand, India has a seven and half hour time difference and even if the game starts at 12:30pm IST in the afternoon, maximum office-goers (even those who work from home) will miss the action.

Apart from Hamilton and Auckland, which can be covered by road, places like Wellington, Christchurch, Napier or Dunedin will require air travel.

The official added that the date of the IPL Governing Council meeting will be announced soon and issues pertaining to the league, including the Chinese sponsorship deals in the IPL, will be discussed. Agencies

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