October window may open for IPL as ICC board discusses to postpone T20 World Cup to 2022: Report

The decision to postpone this year’s T20 World Cup in Australia to 2022 might open up a window for the Indian Premier League (IPL) in October. The decision about the World Cup is expected to be formalised when the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) all-powerful board holds a teleconference on Thursday.

The decision will be made keeping the COVID-19 pandemic in mind. This will give members a chance to chalk out their bilateral blueprint in the coming months.

“There is a good chance that postponement of World T20 will be decided during Thursday’s board meeting. Whether there will be a formal announcement or not is the question,” an ICC board member told PTI.

“There is very little chance of World T20 going ahead in this situation. I don’t think either Cricket Australia or the top boards will mind,” he added.

As for postponing the T20 World Cup to October-November, 2022 is due to the fact that India will be hosting its edition in 2021.

The board member also stated that it’s not only about the countries but also about broadcasters Star Sports, which holds rights for both the ICC events as well as BCCI’s ‘India Cricket’ rights and the IPL rights.

“There are a few questions that need to be asked. The commercial viability of having a T20 World Cup in February-March 2021. Before that, an IPL in October-November window and another IPL in the March-May window,” a BCCI insider privy to the broadcast deals said.

“So we are looking at three big-ticket tournaments in six months. In this current economic scenario, that will be a very bad call,” he added.

Talking about bilateral engagements, chances of India touring Australia at the end of the year could also be possible. 

“India is most certainly going to Australia and England is coming for a five-match series in India. As far as South Africa T20 series is concerned, let Cricket South Africa decide where they stand as far as ICC policy matters are concerned,” the source said.

“With Chris Nenzani, BCCI will only believe when he puts pen to paper, he added.

Now as far as IPL is concerned, it all depends on the COVID-19 condition in the country. If the situation is brought back to normalcy, the cash-rich event could get a five-week condensed window to go ahead.