England and South Africa are said to be frontrunners in hosting this year’s ipl2 season.
It was not long ago, rumours were rife among media contingent, that IPL would be transferred to South Africa or England. Dream of some imaginative media person is now in a stone throwing distance to reality.
On 23rd march, BCC announced that, IPL would be transferred outside India for its 2nd season and they have approached several of their peer cricketing boards regarding hosting of IPL. But insiders reveal that England and South Africa are frontrunners in hosting this billion dollar tournament.
Theories have been spun in large numbers about chances of those two nations in hosting tournament. IPL authorities are well aware of the fact, that Broadcasting revenue forms lion share of their yield from IPL, so experts suggest that they will favour both England and South Africa, which can accommodate their previously planned prime time slots according to India (i.e.)f 14.00 GMT and 20.00 GMT.
South African Cricket chief Majola hinted that IPL authorities have contacted him regarding staging of IPL, which is a testimony for their world class infrastructure and facilities coupled with fool proof security.
When he was queried about the doubts, regarding whether South Africa has venues to host eight different franchises, he asserted that there are only eight franchises and not eighteen, which they can accommodate with ease.
ECB chief Dean Morris also expressed his willingness, to offer help to their counterparts BCCI, if they are approached by them regarding IPL2. Many experts speculate that England would be ideal venue because of their timings, which could exactly coincide with prime slots in India and also weather would be ideal for cricket match in this season.
But others speculate, that there are some practical difficulties in staging IPL in England, as they have to renovate few stadiums for T 20 world cup, which is going to held later in June this year and also few county matches scheduled to be held at that time.
Whereas South Africa doesn’t have any domestic matches or commitments, to address and they also have large Indian contingents, similar to England to throng the stadium supporting their respective players, which was witnessed in T 20 world cup last year.
In last year IPL, stadiums were flooded with crowds, which instigated a festive atmosphere and excitement to matches. It will be interesting how ipl live would be received in England or South Africa in respect to stadium attendance and excitement.