Former Test batsman and renowned cricket commentator Sunil Gavaskar has suggested this year's edition of the T20 World Cup be hosted in India.
The 2020 T20 World Cup is scheduled to be played in Australia, but preventative measures implemented against the spread of the coronavirus have this in doubt.
“As we all know, Australia has barred foreigners from entering the country. The tournament starts mid-October, so it is looking difficult at the moment,” Gavaskar told India Today.
“Next year's T20 World Cup is in India. If India and Australia come to an agreement and in case the coronavirus curve in India flattens out, they can swap.
“It can be held in India this October and November and in Australia October and November next year.”
The T20 World Cup used to be called the World Twenty20. The West Indies are the reigning champions. They have won the tournament twice. England, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have each won a title. India triumphed in the inaugural World T20 in 2007 in South Africa, after beating Pakistan in the final.
Indian Premier League
This year's Indian Premier League, meanwhile, has been deferred indefinitely. The start of the 2020 IPL had been moved from 29 March to 15 April, but the Board of Control for Cricket in India forced a larger delay amid the country's travel ban and other strict measures.
“If it the swap is going to happen that way then what can be done is that IPL is held just prior to T20 World Cup, so there is enough practice for the players,” added Gavaskar.
The Mumbai Indians are the reigning IPL champions, after beating the Chennai Super Kings in the 2019 final. Mumbai have won the title four times. Chennai have three titles. The Kolkata Knight Riders have won it twice. The Rajasthan Royals won the first IPL in 2008.
“Due to the evolving global health concerns regarding the coronavirus and lockdown measures implemented by the government of India to contain the spread of the pandemic, the IPL governing council of the BCCI has decided that the IPL 2020 season will be suspended until further notice,” said BCCI secretary Jay Shah earlier this month.
