New Delhi: Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President Sourav Ganguly has stated they would like to host the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) this year and their priority is to host the tournament within the country itself.
The cash-rich league was initially scheduled to be played from March 29 but due to coronavirus pandemic the tournament was postponed indefinitely by the BCCI.
Ganguly once again reiterated the board's desire to host the IPL this year to bring back some sort of normalcy in the wake of COVID-19 crisis.
"We want to have it, as I said that cricket needs to be back," Ganguly said on India Today's show Inspiration.
"For us, it's off-season at the moment which has helped. We finished our domestic season in March and then we had to cancel the IPL, which is the most important part of our domestic season.
"We want IPL to happen because life needs to be back to normal and cricket needs to be back to normal but we don't have a decision from the ICC regarding the T20 World Cup," he added.
There have been reports of the IPL shifting out of India considering the virus threat that is raging on in the country presently. Ganguly, however, stated their priority will be to host the tournament in India before looking out for venues on foreign shores.
IANS had earlier reported that the situation with regards to the coronavirus pandemic might force the board to ultimately take the tournament to either UAE or Sri Lanka.
"We keep hearing different things from the media but till actually its officially not told to the board members and the countries, you don't know what is happening," Ganguly said.
"But we want to host it, our priority is India. Whatever time we get, even if we get 35-40 days we will host it.
"Places like Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai -- these are big teams in the IPL and at this stage, I don't think you can put your hand on heart and say that cricket will happen in these places.
"We were keen to go to Ahmedabad to see the new stadium but I don't know if we will be able to go there or not. It's not easy at the moment to say that we are going to host it in India," the former India captain said.
The 48-year-old also praised his eyebrows over the prospect of hosting the tournament outside India and the financial and logistical implications that will tag along with it.
"Will it be in India? If it's not then we think of going out, but where? Because going out becomes very expensive for the board, the franchises because of the currency conversion rates," he said.
"So we are monitoring it and we are very keen to host it. We have our fingers crossed, we don't want the year 2020 to finish without an IPL."
'Happy Birthday Dadi': Wishes Pour In As Sourav Ganguly Turns 48
Legendary Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar led the wishes for former India captain and current President of the Board of Control for Cricket India (BCCI) Sourav Ganguly who turned 48 on Wednesday.
Touted to be one of the best captains the country has ever produced, Ganguly is widely credited for making India an aggressive side and instilling belief in the team that they could win overseas conditions as well.
Tendulkar was among the first ones to extend birthday wishes to his former opening partner. "Happy birthday Dadi! Hope our off-field partnership keeps going strong like our on-field ones. Wish you a blessed year ahead," Tendulkar said on Twitter.
"Many more happy returns of the day Sourav Ganguly. May you taste ever more success and receive more and more love. Have a great day and year ahead #HappyBirthdayDada," said VVS Laxman.
Mohammad Kaif wrote: "From a fine batsman to an outstanding captain & now leading Indian cricket on the whole—here's wishing my favourite captain & mentor Sourav Ganguly a very happy birthday. But FAULADI SEENA dikha ke aise kaun chadhta hai, Dada #HappyBirthdayDada."
"Wishing a very happy birthday to the most dynamic and visionary captain of his time. It's a matter of immense pleasure to work with the man who took Indian cricket to new heights. Subho Janmodin Sourav Ganguly," tweeted BCCI Secretary Jay Shah.
"Leader of Men. God of off-side. Fighter. Happy Birthday, Dada. #HappyBirthdayDada," said Aakash Chopra.
Ishant Sharma said: "Shubho Jonmodin Dada Sourav Ganguly. A true inspiration for many! Lots of love and best wishes to you! Have a great #QuarantineBirthday!"
"Happy birthday dada! From a great captain to a brilliant administrator, you have donned them magnificently. Hope you continue your good work for the betterment of Indian cricket... Godspeed. Sourav Ganguly #HappyBirthdayDada," tweeted Pragyan Ojha.
Putting out various important achievements of Ganguly, the International Cricket Council (ICC) on their official Twitter handle wrote: "Third-fastest to 10,000 ODI runs. Holds the record for the highest individual score in CWC for India. 2003 ICC World Cup runner-up. Captained India to 11 wins in 28 overseas Tests. Happy birthday to one of India's most successful captains, Sourav Ganguly."
Ganguly played 113 Tests and 311 ODIs in which he scored 7,212 and 11,363 runs respectively.
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