BCCI could shift IPL 2019 outside India; South Africa, UAE viable options

Mumbai: The 11th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) proved to be a hit with the return of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) after a two-year spot-fixing ban. But keeping the 2019 general elections in mind, the next edition of the tournament could be scheduled outside India with South Africa and UAE being considered as feasible destinations.

This is not the first instance that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is planning to shift the cash-rich league outside the country. After its introduction in 2008, the second edition was held in South Africa before the tournament was partly conducted in the UAE during 2014.

However, BCCI is waiting until the dates of the general elections are released and will make a decision after that.

“If the dates of the general elections clash with those of the Indian Premier League, then the tournament will be held outside the country. But as of now, we are waiting for the dates to decide on how to go ahead with the scheduling.

The experience of hosting the IPL in the UAE was brilliant and that option is definitely there. But another option could be South Africa. Like I said before, the call will be taken keeping in mind the general elections and its dates,” IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

MS Dhoni’s CSK were crowned winners of the 2018 edition after they scripted a fairytale comeback, beating SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH).