Former West Indies legendary fast bowler Michael Holding believes the Board of Control for Cricket in India has every right to host the Indian Premier League if the T20 World Cup is postponed. Holding feels that if a window is available then the Indian board has the right to take it.
Meanwhile, it was recently reported that the IPL will take place in October-November if the T20 World Cup is deferred. However, the ICC squashed such reports and stated that it still plans to host the global event as scheduled. The final call on the fate of the T20I showpiece will be taken by ICC on June 10.
However, it is well known that the Australian government will have a larger say in the final decision of the World Cup. There are travel restrictions in Australia till mid-September and it is expected that the T20 World Cup will be postponed.
Holding said during an Instagram live session, “I don’t think ICC is delaying the T20 World Cup because they are making space for the IPL. It’s the Australian government’s law where they are not allowing any visitors into the country before a specific date. But if there is no T20 World Cup, the BCCI has all rights to go ahead and organise a domestic tournament because there’s a space. If they are encroaching on other people’s tournament, you could say okay”.
Meanwhile, it is well known that Holding is not a big fan of the IPL or Twenty20 cricket but he hasn’t let it come between his analysis.
The T20 World Cup is hanging on by a thin thread and it is unlikely to take place as it is scheduled from October 18 to November 15. Furthermore, a global event without any crowd will be a surreal feeling.
In fact, Cricket Australia CEO Kevin Roberts has also confirmed that the Australian board will lose AUD $50 million if they stage the tournament behind closed doors as there would be no ticket sales.
Almost all the cricket pundits have suggested that it would make sense to defer the T20 World Cup. Ergo, it is expected that this edition of T20 World Cup could be played in 2022 as next year’s tournament is scheduled to take place in India.
The IPL was to begin from March 29 but it has been indefinitely postponed. The Indian board is yet to discuss the schedule of the tourney and the final call will be taken by the Indian government. The BCCI is open to stage the IPL overseas if the need may arise.
