The BCCI, as part of its contingency plans, has kept open the
option of rescheduling the IPL any time between late August and early October
(before the T20 World Cup in Australia). This of course hinges on the hope the
disease will be contained in the next four months. Depending on how it plays
out, a plan will be redrawn. The IPL organising team will be looking at all the
possibilities, from the participation of foreign players to a truncated
tournament with only India players. The IPL is a massive revenue generator for
the BCCI and is crucial for the wellbeing of Indian cricket.As per the original
schedule, India are to play the Asia Cup in September, host England for three
ODIs and three T20s. Before going into the T20 World Cup, India are also
scheduled to play three T20Is in Australia. India’s three-ODI tour of Zimbabwe
is also set to be rescheduled. As for other teams, England host Pakistan (ends
on September 2) and then Ireland (ends September 15). South Africa’s tour of
West Indies ends on August 16. Australia aren’t playing any matches during this
two-month period. They will play a T20 series against West Indies and India in
October, just before the start of T20 World cup. Even if the BCCI finds a
37-day window for a full IPL or a smaller window for a truncated tournament,
they will still have to identify venues that won’t be affected by monsoon at
that time.
