IPL 2021 Set To Resume In The UAE On Sep 19
The BCCI held a successful 2020 IPL in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) due to the COVID-19 pandemic but decided to host the 2021 IPL in India. They were confident that they could pull off a successful tournament by creating a similar IPL bubble as they did in the UAE.
The 2021 IPL went smooth for the first few weeks and gave fans a lot of exciting matches. Just when things were moving towards the playoffs, India experienced a huge outbreak of COVID-19, and the IPL bubble ended up being breached. Multiple players and staff tested COVID positive, and the BCCI was forced to suspend the IPL.
2021 IPL To Resume In The UAE
The BCCI was very keen on completing the 2021 IPL before the end of the year and had to work out an IPL window with the ICC. The BCCI decided that it was too risky to resume the IPL in India and decided it was best to shift the remainder of the 2021 IPL back to the UAE.
The BCCI will once again schedule IPL games between Sharjah, Abu-Dhabi, and Dubai to complete the IPL. The IPL will resume on Sept 19 and finish on Oct 15 with the IPL Championship final. The first game of IPL 2021 in the UAE will feature a match between the Chennai Super Kings and current champs Mumbai Indians.
While credit must be given to the BCCI for rescheduling the 2021 IPL, several international players are likely to miss the second part of the IPL. This is because there are some series scheduled in the lead-up to the IPL window and soon after that. Players are in a tough situation as they are keen to play in the IPL and, want to be physically and mentally fit to represent their respective countries.
Will CSK Struggle Again In The UAE?
Chennai Super Kings played poorly in the 2020 IPL in the UAE. There were several reasons why the three-time IPL Champions did not perform in the UAE and were eliminated during the group stages for the first time in IPL history.
Their performance in the UAE resulted in them being eliminated from the top three IPL franchises that were favorites to win the 2021 IPL Championship. CSK plays well in India, and they showed some great form during the first part of the 2021 IPL and are now sitting comfortably in second place on the IPL points table.
CSK currently has 10 points, having played 7 games, while Delhi Chargers are on top with 12 points having played 8 games. CSK has won 5 of their 7 games and needs three more wins to book themselves a place in the 2021 IPL playoffs. They also have the best net run rate amongst all the IPL teams, and bettors are keen on backing CSK to win their fourth IPL Championship.
We need to wait and watch if CSK can continue its momentum in the UAE or if it will once again falter in the desert.
Top Overseas Players Will Miss 2021 IPL
The top three teams that are favorites to win the 2021 IPL are the Delhi Chargers, Chennai Super Kings, and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). RCB did well in the UAE, and their fans believe that 2021 will be the year when RCB win their first IPL Championship.
Bettors looking to bet on the remainder of the 2021 IPL should keep in mind that a number of IPL franchises will be without some of their big-name overseas players. We will know the full list of players who will be missing from action as we get closer to the resumption of the 2021 IPL.
Some players are still unsure whether they will be able to participate in the IPL. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain Eoin Morgan has confirmed that he will play in the United Arab Emirates but, his England teammate Jos Butler who plays for the Rajasthan Royals, has dropped out. Mustafizur Rehman will also not represent the Royals in September. Shakib Al-Hassan, who plays for KKR, is also going to be missing from the IPL.
CSK will also be undone as Moeen Ali and Sam Curran, who played a big role in the tournament’s first half, are likely to be absent. We are not certain if Suresh Raina will play in the UAE as he dropped out of the 2020 IPL since he wanted to remain in India.
The Delhi Capitals will miss out on the services of English all-rounder Chris Woakes. The betting odds for the teams could change once we know the full list of overseas players that will miss the 2021 IPL.
