Should England-India Test series be shortened for playing the IPL?
The 14th edition of the Indian Premier League was going up all well in India until the second wave of COVID-19 shook the strict bio bubble. The cases started popping up across all the teams and the fancy T20 league had to be called midway. The BCCI is trying their best to wrap up the remaining season as quickly as possible. With the threat of COVID-19 still hovering in India, the Indian Board is mulling over other venues to conduct the league.
It is to be noted that India would be playing the Test series with England on their soil in August after the WTC finale. In the parallel world, it has been reported that BCCI has been in discussion with ECB to tweak the Test series to create a window for the remaining season of IPL. On the other hand, it has also been stated that BCCI is looking at UAE as a possible option to take the league forward from September 15-October 15.
Playing the IPL in England
Talking about the idea of staging the remaining league in England by shortening their Test series would be a fine idea for several reasons. BCCI is already aiming to wrap up the season as soon as possible and with India and England teams already there, mandatory quarantine would be cut off for them. June is occupied for the WTC finale and the October- November window is sealed for T20 World Cup. India B team would be locking horns with Sri Lanka in the month of July and therefore the August window looks fine in all regards.
If IPL 2021 gets wrapped up right in August only, teams would be free enough to take up their practice session ahead for T20 WC as well. It has also been reported that England summer would be favourable conditions for hosting the remainder of IPL 2021.
With that being said, it has to be noted that all the nations do not schedule any major tournament while IPL is in action. Overseas stars form a vital part of the extravagant league and without their presence, the very essence of the tournament would be lost. In that case, BCCI can get in discussion with other boards as well to conduct the league successfully in the August-September window in England.
