While the excitement surrounding the IPL 2024 season is almost reaching its peak for most cricket enthusiasts, the world is eagerly awaiting the electrifying clash of Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore on March 22, where all sports enthusiasts expect the start of another exciting tournament.
Nevertheless, the venue for the remaining half of the games is not yet clear after the Election Commission of India announced the unveiling of the election schedule for today.
How many days to go for #TATAIPL 2024 to begin? 😉
The Captain of the defending champions is geared up for the season 😎 pic.twitter.com/laduRuK9nd
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 15, 2024
The Times Of India suggests that the Board of Control for Cricket in India is likely to announce the relocation of the competition to Dubai. Other sources reveal that BCCI officials are currently in the UAE, exploring the possibility of organizing the second phase of IPL in Dubai. Meanwhile, In 2014, a portion of the cricketing competition was held in Dubai citing the Election Commission of India’s likelihood of pushing the league to Dubai.
“The Election Commission of India will announce the election schedule on Saturday at 3 pm. After that, the BCCI will decide on whether to shift IPL matches to Dubai. Additionally, a few top BCCI officials are in Dubai to explore organizing the second half of the IPL in Dubai,” sources said.
Previously, IPL was shifted to the UAE in the year 2020 and 2021 following the emergence of COVID-19. The league was played across three venues, i.e., Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharajh, which provides a colorful environment for the competition.
Similarly, several franchises have already collected the passports of the players in case the game might shift to the UAE. Some players have not renewed their visas, so the franchise obtained copies of their passports. However, the BCCI has assured the second half of the league that it will continue smoothly.
MS Dhoni’s farewell in IPL 2024: Chennai or UAE?
IPL fans across the globe are heartbroken that the awaited farewell of Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni from IPL and cricket could be interfered with by election dates. However, if elections override the scheduled IPL matches, the tournament action is likely to take center stage in the UAE.
7️⃣💛8️⃣,
Makes our day great! 🥳🤩#WhistlePodu #Yellove 🦁💛 pic.twitter.com/mFK4SFXo3d— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) March 15, 2024
The ECI decision puts Dhoni in a tight spot after promising his CSK fans that his final game with the franchise will be in the Chennai team before his retirement. The legendary India player amidst aging and many other factors assumed that he had indicated that it will be his last season. The expected shifting of IPL action to the UAE crushed the hope of millions of cricket fans who awaited the legendary Indian cricketer’s farewell match in Chennai. The emotional goodbye to the Indian star in the home country could be more nostalgic than in the UAE.
