Mumbai | The BCCI is confident that the new season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) will start on March 27. According to BCCI sources, the IPL will not cross the sea this time as the number of Kovid patients in the country is declining. Maharashtra is seen as the venue. The matches will be played at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, Braban Stadium, DY Patil Stadium and MCA Stadium in Guwahati.
At an online meeting, some franchisees agreed to move the tournament to the UAE if the Kovid expansion intensifies. But a handful of franchises have expressed interest in making South Africa a backup destination. The new franchises, Ahmedabad and Lucknow, are keen to compete in India.
The BCCI spokesperson said that the bio-bubble security might be maintained if it was conducted only in Mumbai. With the arrival of two new teams this time, the number of matches will increase from 60 to 74. The BCCI spokesperson said that the match schedule will be announced on the 20th of next month if a final decision is taken on the venue.