DUBAI, Sept 18: Players will be getting valuable experience in the UAE conditions ahead of the T20 World Cup while the Indian cricket board will be hoping its money-spinner stays away from the looming COVID-19 shadow when the IPL resumes with the blockbuster Chennai Super Kings-Mumbai Indians clash here tomorrow.
As the second wave of COVID-19 wreaked havoc in India in April-May, the water-tight IPL bio-bubble was also breached, forcing the suspension of the tournament after 29 games.
With too much at stake for all stakeholders including the players, teams and BCCI, there was little doubt over the completion of the world’s biggest T20 competition. It was only about when the BCCI would squeeze in the IPL in an ever-pack global calendar.
After a few alterations in the franchise cricket and international calendar, the best possible window was found with the BCCI slotting in the tournament as the lead up to the T20 World Cup.
Last week, doubts over smooth conduct of the tournament resurfaced with the outbreak of COVID-19 in the Indian team’s camp in England but fortunately for the organisers, the issue did not escalate and the available Indian and English players arrived here safely.
The entire IPL was held in the UAE last year without any hassles and the BCCI will be hoping for a similar experience this time around.
Fans, albeit a limited number, will also be present at an IPL venue for the first time since 2019, adding immensely to the event’s spectacle.
Though the squads have already been announced for the World Cup, an IPL performance seldom gets unnoticed and there could be some players, including Indians, who make the squad in the 11th hour in case of injury with the ICC allowing changes until October 10.
India skipper Virat Kohli, who will step down from T20 captaincy after the World Cup, would love to get his hands on the elusive trophy and Royal Challengers Bangalore showed signs earlier in the season that they could finally go all the way.
Delhi Capitals, who finished runners-up in 2020, are leading the points tally and are primed to win their maiden title. The other teams in the top four are CSK, RCB and the mighty Mumbai Indians, the winner of a record five titles and the team to upstage.
There are 31 games to be played in UAE conditions instead of the usual 60 and that could mean good pitches for the majority of the tournament. With the conditions different from India and pitches expected to be slower, all teams have emphasised on starting from scratch.
CSK and MI renew their celebrated rivalry to kick start the IPL resumption on Sunday. (PTI)
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