IPL 2019 in South Africa ??

IPL 2019 in South Africa ??

A decade after hosting the 2009 IPL, South Africa 

could be the destination for the T20 league 

once again.What's the story?

The Indian Premier League (IPL) could be heading 

for a new destination for its 12th edition next year. 

The T20 league is likely to be held in South Africa 

in 2019, with election dates in India expected 

to clash with the tournament dates next year.

In case you didn't know...

While the tournament is held in India every year, there 

have been instances in the past when the league had 

to be shifted out of the country for different reasons.

In 2009, South Africa had edged out England as the 

hosts of the tournament, with the tournament dates 

clashing with the general elections in India.

Deccan Chargers led by Australian Adam Gilchrist won the IPL 2009 held in South Africa

In 2014, the tournament was shifted out yet again, 

this time to UAE for the first two weeks, the reason 

being the Lok Sabha elections in April-May, the exact months

in which the league takes place.

The heart of the matter

While nothing has been decided as of yet, 

a report in The Times of India says that 

the BCCI is already discussing possibilities

 to move the tournament out of India next year,

with extensive elections scheduled to take 

place across the country.

Cricket South Africa, already reeling under the

effects of the postponement of their own brainchild, 

the Global T20 League, could use IPL as a means 

to showcase their hosting prowess, just 

like they did in 2009.

What's next?

While there is still time for the BCCI to 

fix the schedule for next year, all eyes 

will shift to the IPL's 11th season, 

set to be held from April 4 to May 27 

this year. Fresh auctions towards 

the end of January are adding to 

the interest in this season of the league.

Author's take

IPL 2019 is set to pose a headache for 

the BCCI: firstly, the 2019 World Cup 

is already slotted to take place from 

May end to mid-July, and according to 

the Lodha recommendations, a 15-day 

window has to be maintained between 

the 50-over tournament and the IPL.

Also, South Africa, the replacement 

hosts, have their own elections in 

2019, which could give another 

reason for the IPL to be moved 

ahead to a March-April scheduling.

By : Sportskeeda