Guest Column: Budget’s policy interventions to boost Orange Economy 
Delhi HC cracks down on illegal streaming during ICC U-19, Men’s T20 World Cups 
Holiday Films, Football drive Dec viewership surge: Nielsen 
‘Black Warrant’ star Cheema says initial OTT focus intentional 
Cinema, TV different media to entertain audiences: Akshay Kumar 
A wannabe criminologist turns into ‘Daldal’s chilling serial killer 
Budget push for content creators’ labs in 15K+ schools, colleges 
Network18 platforms among top-viewed Budget Day news streams 
Bharat Express celebrates 3 years of ethical, impactful journalism 
TDP MP Devarayalu proposes Bill to ban social media for kids 
As the Indian cricket board seeks to complete this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL) in the United Arab Emirates, it appears to have accepted that the UAE leg may not feature several of the league’s star foreign players.
The Board of Control for Cricket (BCCI) in India was staring at a $270 million loss in revenue when the IPL’s 14thedition was suspended last month after several players and backroom staff tested positive for COVID-19, Reuters reported yesterday.
Having shifted the rest of the tournament to the UAE in September-October 2021, the BCCI top brass are currently in Dubai to finalise the schedule of the remaining 31 matches in consultation with their Emirati counterparts.
England has effectively ruled out further participation of its players when the tournament resumes, but the BCCI appear unfazed.
“Our main focus is on completing this edition of the IPL,” BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla told Khaleej Times on Monday.
“So whichever foreign players are available is fine. Whoever is not available, it is not going to stop us from hosting the tournament,” Shukla added.
IPL chairman Brijesh Patel, currently in Dubai, did not respond to Reuters calls to elaborate.
Various cricket boards would be wary of releasing players and exposing them to possible injuries on the eve of the Twenty20 World Cup in October-November.
Cricket Australia has not considered players’ return for IPL yet. “Once we get back together as a group that is something we’ll obviously need to discuss,” CA chief executive Nick Hockley said on Monday.
The Bangladesh duo of Shakib Al Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman will not be available for IPL, their cricket board has said citing the team’s international schedule.
According to local media reports, the BCCI has requested Cricket West Indies (CWI) to advance the start of the Caribbean Premier League, scheduled from Aug. 28 to Sept. 19, so their players remain available for IPL.
The CWI did not reply to Reuters asking if it would oblige.
An IPL franchise official said players would be paid on a pro-rata basis if they do not return for the rest of the tournament, which was suspended just before the halfway stage.
It means South African Chris Morris, sold to Rajasthan Royals for a record $2.23 million, would take home around $1 million should he skip the league’s UAE leg.
