THE BCCI HAS ANNOUNCED that the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League will be played in UAE, alongside a four-team 'Women's T20 Challenge.'
The IPL will begin on September 19th and conclude on November 10th, making it the longest season of the T20 tournament ever.
The Women's T20 Challenge will take place alongside the IPL between November 1st and 10th.
The match start times have been set at 3:30 pm and 7:30 pm IST, with the majority of the games taking place in the evening slot.
All matches will be played behind closed doors at the United Arab Emirates, specifically in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah. The move abroad is subject to a final approval by the Indian government.
There are reports that BCCI will construct 'COVID safety bio bubbles' in the vein of the UFC's Fight Island in Abu Dhabi, to ensure that players, umpires, coaching staff and tournament personnel remain safe from the threat posed by the coronavirus pandemic. In this regard, a presentation from the Tata Group has already been showcased to the Indian cricket authorities on the logistics of this undertaking.
Concerns have been raised about the dates Women's T20 Challenge clashing with Australia's Women's Big Bash League, mainly from those connected with Australian cricket. But it's unlikely that the BCCI will consider switching the schedule on the account of WBBL.