IPL 2021: BCCI looking at September window to resume competition 

With IPL 2021 canceled, the priority of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is now the safety of all stakeholders. Authorities are also said to be exploring options to hold the remaining matches, with September touted as a possible window.

IPL 2021 was postponed indefinitely 29 games into the season, which means a total of 31 games will take place if the tournament is rescheduled. Apart from the dates, the competition venue will also be a point of concern.

Speaking to Cricbuzz, IPL chairman Brijesh Patel confirmed that concerned parties are looking at possible windows to hold IPL 2021.

"Now we have to look for a window. If we get one, we will explore holding it. We'll have to see if it is possible in September. We need to examine the plans of the ICC and other boards,” Patel said.

A September restart will mean Indian players get some white-ball practice before the T20 World Cup, scheduled to take place from October 18 to November 15. A final decision on the venue is expected to be made in a few weeks.

This means the BCCI will have less than a month to wrap up IPL 2021, considering quarantine requirements and bio-bubble restrictions. Another aspect to consider is India’s Test tour of England, which ends on September 14.

India is the designated host of the T20 World Cup, but a disastrous second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the region has prompted the ICC to keep UAE as a backup.

Speaking to the publication, a franchise official in the know admitted BCCI and IPL are strongly considering the September window.

"A September window is being considered. By then the England-India series would be over and foreign players would be ready for the T20 World Cup. That small window is being explored," the official said.

BCCI to lose upwards of INR 2000 crore due to IPL 2021 postponement

UPDATE: The Indian Premier League Governing Council (IPL GC) and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in an emergency meeting has unanimously decided to postpone IPL 2021 season with immediate effect.Details - https://t.co/OgYXPj9FQy pic.twitter.com/lYmjBId8gL

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 4, 2021

The unforeseen postponement of IPL 2021 will have a huge financial impact on the BCCI. The board stands to lose more than INR 2000 crore of the broadcast and sponsorship money that was designated for IPL 2021. A senior BCCI official speaking to PTI confirmed the development.

"We would be losing anything between ₹2000 to ₹2500 crore for the midway postponement of this season. I would say something in the range of ₹2200 crore will be closer to accurate estimation," the senior BCCI official said.

With IPL 2021 stopped midway through, the BCCI stands to lose the funds committed by sponsors at the start of the year.

However, the biggest loss to the BCCI would come from Star Sports, with the board set to lose part of the deal due to a premature halt to the tournament.