Agenceis
The T20 World Cup appears destined to be moved out of India and a decision is expected at the Executive Board meeting of the International Cricket Council (ICC) on June 1. The scheduling of the BCCI's Special General Meeting (SGM) on May 29, two days before the ICC congregates, is not merely coincidental. It is well a thought out move and the board will be armed with the general body decision while attending the ICC meeting.
With the suspension of IPL 2021 amid the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in India, the BCCI has weakened its case to host the 16-team T20 World Cup in October-November when the Indian government authorities, state government officials included, are preparing for a potential third wave of Covid-19 pandemic. The ICC directors and managers are understandably monitoring the situation.
"The case numbers are dropping and we do not think that it will take a U-turn again, and this is after we are testing everyone we can. But we are preparing ourselves for the third wave, if any, by having more jumbo field hospitals," Mumbai Municipal Commissioner Iqbal Chahal had said not too long ago. Many ministers and scientists are also talking of a third wave and measures to avert it.
"The ICC is not unaware of the situation but one cannot speculate on what will be the decision on June 1. One has to wait and see," said an informed source on the likelihood of moving the tournament to UAE, which has been kept as a reserve venue for the October 18 - November 15 tournament. Quarantine starts for India team Meanwhile all the members of the Indian contingent travelling to the UK, barring those in and around Mumbai, have reached the city to start their quarantine.
All of them have been brought to Mumbai by charter flights from different parts of the country and will be in total isolation till June 2, when the team will fly to UK for the World Test Championship Final and the subsequent five-Test series against England. Those in Mumbai will enter quarantine on May 24.