IPL 2024: BCCI considering UAE as potential host for second half. The UAE hosted a few IPL matches in 2014, and the entire tournament in 2020.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is considering moving the second half of the IPL to the United Arab Emirates. Notably, due to the upcoming General Elections, it will be difficult for the BCCI to find a solution and host the entire tournament in India, with the tournament potentially shifting to the UAE for the third time in history.
Notably, due to the 2014 General Elections, the BCCI hosted the first half of the IPL in the UAE In 2020. Tthe entire tournament held in that region due to an increase in COVID-19 cases in India. Despite the lack of official confirmation, an interesting development has sparked speculation.
According to reports, IPL teams have asked their players to submit their passports. This indicates that the BCCI is keeping all options open before the Election Commissioner announces the dates on March 16.
“The Election Commission of India will announce the election schedule on Saturday at 3 pm. After that, the BCCI will decide whether IPL matches should be move to Dubai. Currently, a few top BCCI officials are in Dubai to explore the possibility of organizing the second half of the IPL in Dubai,” sources told The Times of India.
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The first half of the IPL schedule was announced on February 22
The BCCI unable to proceed because the Election Commission of India had not previously announced the dates. Notably, the Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore will begin the action on March 22 at M Chidambaram Stadium, with the Lucknow Super Giants and Gujarat Titans playing their final match of the first leg on April 7.
After that, there could be a break if the IPL moves to the UAE for the second half. Meanwhile, even if it moves to the Gulf, there is a slim chance that it will return to India for the tournament’s final phase. However, it is still just an idea, and concrete discussions will begin only after the Election Commissioner announces the dates.
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