Just when the world thought it was getting in control of Covid-19, another variant of the virus ‘Omicron’ has emerged, throwing the normalcy plans off track. With the threat of the new variant rapidly rising, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly looking to devise a ‘Plan B’ for the 2022 season.
The BCCI is looking to call a meeting with franchise owners next month where an alternate strategy to conduct the 15th edition of the league will be discussed. Though the primary plan is to host the tournament across India in the home-away format like it should be, but the Omicron threat has put a big question mark on the plan.
The BCCI was looking to begin the new season on April 02 next year in Chennai. However, if a troublesome Covid-19 situation arises again, the board may organise the tournament in just one or two states.
“The meeting will be mainly introductory in nature with the BCCI on-boarding the owners of the two new teams – Lucknow and Ahmedabad. They are also exploring the idea of holding the whole tournament just in Mumbai and Pune or in the Gujarat cities of Ahmedabad, Baroda and Rajkot if the Covid/Omicron situation worsens.
“The owners will be apprised of the alternatives as well as things to look forward to in the mega auction,” multiple franchise owners confirmed.
