IPL 2020, postponed from its original start in March due to the nationwide lockdown in India, will now eye a window later in the year. With the T20 World Cup also slotted for October-November, BCCI is awaiting a decision from ICC, who have adopted a “wait-and-watch policy”. The Asia Cup, set to be played in the T20 format this year, is also originally scheduled to take place in September.

“Yes, we are looking at those dates, but it all depends on the future of the T20 World Cup and the Asia Cup. Subject to that we are planning (the window for the IPL),” Patel was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.

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“Again, it depends on how the situation is in September-October. We have to go by the government directive. First, we need the go-ahead from the government. You can’t play a World Cup in empty stadiums. But the IPL being a league, it can be staged behind closed doors. The official broadcaster is OK with that and so are the players because they want to play.”

Patel said that the first preference will be to host the IPL 2020 in India – even if the venues are restricted to just three-four – while also confirming that Sri Lanka and UAE have offered to host the tournament.

“They [Emirates Cricket Board and Sri Lanka Cricket] have informed us that they are prepared to host the IPL,” Patel told Hindu. “But our first preference is India, if we get the government’s permission.

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“It is certain that we cannot play at more than three or four venues in India, but the permissions will depend on how the COVID-19 outbreak pans out.

“Otherwise we will have to explore playing overseas, which will be the last option. Once you are playing without spectators, it doesn’t really matter where you are playing as long as it suits television timings.”