The Board of Control for Cricket in India president Sourav Ganguly is expecting the Indian Premier League 2022 will be played in India. The board had to organise the 2020 edition entirely in the United Arab Emirates as well as the second half of the IPL 2021.
The 2021 edition was suspended midway in May after COVID-19 cases were reported in the bio-bubble. With the pandemic situation not getting any better in the country, BCCI were forced to move the second leg to the Emirates.
The tournament was completed without any further incidents, with MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings lifting their fourth Premier League trophy by beating Kolkata Knight Riders on October 15.
The golden goose of the BCCI – IPL is set to be expanded to 10 teams from next year. The former Indian captain spoke after the launch of fantasy sports platform – My11Circle’s T20 World Cup campaign on Saturday. Ganguly hoped that the tournament would be held in front of packed stadiums in India.
“I hope so, because it’s India’s tournament. As much as you see the superb atmosphere in Dubai, it’s different in India. It’s absolutely madness in India with the stands full. We’d love to have it back in India.”
Ganguly stated.
The board president added that the pandemic situation in the country will be a lot better in coming months and cricket will resume in India.
“I’m sure in the next seven-eight months, the COVID-19 situation will be very different, and we can host it in India with packed stands and the supporters pouring.”
Speaking about the T20 World Cup, for which there are rising concerns that the event could be a low-scoring affair judging by the IPL scores, Ganguly believes that won’t be the case.
“I don’t think so. Maybe in Sharjah, it will be because of the wickets. But Dubai is an absolute belter. Abu Dhabi will be a great surface to bat on, and it’s going to be a great World Cup.”
The BCCI had to shift the T20 World Cup to the UAE as well due to pandemic, but they remain the host board for the world event.
