Amidst raging COVID-19 pandemic, BCCI allows state associations to conduct IPL-like T20 tournament

Sourav Ganguly. Pic/Suresh Karkera

While the debate over whether the IPL should be called off midway amidst rapid COVID-19 spike cases in India, the BCCI has decided to relax their norms this time and permitted state associations to conduct their respective IPL-like T20 tournaments.

As per the rules, stated by BCCI's interim chief executive Hemang Amin in an email to all state associations who have applied to host their T20 tournament, said "the tournament cannot be conducted during the IPL or 15 days before/after the IPL or between September 15 to end of February."

However, as a one-time permission to states, their respective T20 tournaments can be conducted. "The BCCI is pleased to grant you approval to organise the tournament for 2021. You are instructed to adhere to the advisory and guidelines issued by the BCCI in this regard. We reiterate that this is a one-time permission provided due to the pandemic situation and is not the norm," Amin stated in the email, accessed by mid-day on Wednesday.

Mumbai Cricket Association, Karnataka, Saurashtra and Tamil Nadu had applied for BCCI's permission.

Mumbai is planning to kick off its league from June 1 itself. Maharashtra though has suspended all outdoor sports due to the raging pandemic.