FILE PHOTO: Mumbai Indians' fans arrive to watch the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket match between Mumbai Indians' and Deccan Chargers at a stadium in Mumbai May 14, 2011. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo
(Reuters) - The remaining matches of the Indian Premier League (IPL), which was suspended in May due to COVID-19, will resume from Sept. 19 in the United Arab Emirates, the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) said on Sunday.
The IPL was suspended on May 4 with 31 matches left to play after several players and backroom staff tested positive for the coronavirus amid a devastating second wave of COVID-19 in India.
The BCCI announced in May that the remaining matches of the popular Twenty20 tournament would be held in the UAE in September and October.
The IPL will resume with the Chennai Super Kings playing the Mumbai Indians on Sept. 19 in Dubai, before the Kolkata Knight Riders face Royal Challengers Bangalore in Abu Dhabi the following day.
Sharjah will host its first game on Sept. 24 when Bangalore face Chennai.
The first qualifier is scheduled for Oct. 10 in Dubai, while the eliminator (Oct. 11) and second qualifier (Oct. 13) will be played in Sharjah.
Dubai will also host the final, which is due to be played on Oct. 15.
The eight-team IPL, with an estimated brand value of $6.8 billion, is the richest Twenty20 league and attracts many of the best players from around the world to cricket-crazy India.
Reporting by Manasi Pathak in Bengaluru; Editing by Alison Williams and Alex Richardson

Source: Reuters

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