ICC might not like the idea of BCCI hosting IPL just before T20 World Cup: Aakash Chopra

The resumption of the India Premier League (IPL) is currently the hot topic of discussion. If sources are to be believed, the remaining 31 matches of the high-profile tournament might begin in September after India’s tour of England. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officials are planning to restart IPL in the UAE before the ICC T20 World Cup 2021.

There is no official announcement yet as to shift the T20 World Cup out of India, but there is a possibility of shifting the tournament due to the COVID-19 situation in India. Aakash Chopra feels if UAE is the place to host the T20 World Cup, then the ICC might have a problem considering the possibility of pitch deterioration.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra pointed out that ICC may not like the idea as the pitches at the three venues are likely to get worse and tired before the global event.

“When the remaining IPL matches happen in the UAE, there is a big issue there. There is a very strong possibility that the T20 World happens there. If you have to play 31 matches and you have only three venues, and after that you have to play 45 matches and there also you have only three venues, you will be playing so many matches in two months. So, the pitches will deteriorate and ICC would not like it, world cricket will not like it,” said Aakash Chopra.

Aakash Chopra’s interesting views on the resumption of IPL and T20 World Cup

The UAE does not have more than three grounds and still, 31 IPL matches have to take place in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. If the T20 World Cup too takes place in the UAE, then the possibility of the ball keeping low and the pitch getting slow will hamper the multi-nation tournament.

The former Indian opening batter also stated that the ICC can think of hosting the qualification matches of the T20 World Cup in Oman. Chopra concluded by saying that the IPL may not move from the scheduled three venues.

“The thing we are hearing is that the IPL will again be in the caravan style, that you go to one venue with all the teams, play all the matches there and then go to the next venue. The venue you have left can be given to the ICC,” observed Chopra.