IPL 2021: BCCI likely to push back final to October 15 to reduce double headers in UAE heat

The remainder of IPL 2021, which was suspended on May 4 due to Covid-19 cases in the bio-bubbles, is likely to start on September 19 in the UAE and go until October 15 as the BCCI looks to reduce double headers in hot and humid conditions.

The BCCI brass is exploring the option of using the full window of the Indian Premier League by pushing the final back to October 15 in order to reduce the number of double headers in the UAE's searing September heat. The remainder of the tournament will resume on Sunday, September 19 and while the final was tentatively planned for October 10, the BCCI, as well as the Emirates Cricket Board, are mulling stretching the lucrative T20 event till October 15. IPL 2021 was suspended on May 4 due to positive Covid-19 cases in the bio-bubbles of multiple franchises. "September 15 to October 15 is the window. Initially, BCCI was thinking of having 10 double headers. But, in the third and fourth week of September, having 10-afternoon matches can be physically exhausting for players in such a short window," a BCCI source told PTI on the condition of anonymity.