The Phase-2 of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 could kick-off on September 19-20 in UAE but the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is unlikely to get any help from the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) as far as the schedule of the India-England Test series is concerned. Having asked ECB to tweak the schedule a little to make space for the rescheduled IPL Season 14, the BCCI doesn’t seem to be getting any help.

As per a report in The Telegraph UK, the ECB is resisting tweaking the schedule of the 5-match Test series between India and England due to major logistical issues. Having assessed the possible opportunities to tweak the schedule in order to wrap up the series early, the ECB has reportedly told the BCCI that the series schedule is likely to remain the same.

It was last week that the BCCI informally approached ECB, asking for the five-match Test series to conclude early so that the Indian board can schedule the remainder of IPL 14 in mid-September. With the 5th Test between India and England scheduled to finish on September 14, the BCCI wanted the match to either be moved before the first Test or be preponed after reducing the gap between one or two matches in the series.

The problem that ECB is encountering is this regard is that three days of the final Test of the series are already sold out and the others are likely to be full houses too. While a clash with The Hundred prevents the board to start the series early.

There is a nine-day gap between the second and third Tests at Lord’s and Headingley but since the fans having bought tickets, booked hotel rooms and broadcast schedules are also final, a change this late isn’t something that the ECB finds feasible

Now, the Indian players in the UK for the series are expected to fly from London to the UAE on Sept 15 and quarantine for three days before the IPL 2021 resumes either on Sept 19 or 20 and finish on Oct 9 or 10. 

The Twenty20 World Cup, which is scheduled to take place in India, is also likely to kick-start in UAE on Oct 18. With India’s covid situation and the threat of a possible second wave, the BCCI is unlikely to risk hosting the tournament in the country.

While IPL’s tentative schedule seems plausible, the biggest concern for the BCCI is the availability of overseas players who are expected to be involved in international assignments at that point in time