IPL 2021: Absence Of Foreign Players Not Going To Stop Us From Hosting IPL, Says BCCI Vice-President Rajiv Shukla

Rajiv Shukla, the BCCI vice-president, said IPL 2021 will go ahead with "whichever foreign players are available", adding the tournament will not be hindered by absence of overseas stars.

Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) vice-president Rajiv Shukla has said that the absence of overseas players will not hinder the resumption of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021. The IPL was postponed on May 4 after several players and support staff members across teams tested positive for COVID-19. BCCI announced on Saturday that the league will resume in the UAE and the remaining matches will be played in the months of September and October. However, unlike the original schedule some players could be tied up with international commitments, making their participation for their respective teams doubtful.  "We have discussed that (availability of foreign players) issue also. Our main focus is on completing this edition of the IPL. It should not be left half way through. So whichever foreign players are available is fine. Whoever is not available, it is not going to stop us from hosting the tournament," Rajiv Shukla told Khaleej Times on Sunday.  "The Indian players are there, foreign players are there, but few foreign players will not be available. As I said, we have to complete our tournament.