By Jonathan Easton

The BCCI has confirmed plans to restart the IPL in September.

The IPL season was suspended in May amid rising COVID-19 infections in India, with a number of players and staff also coming down with the illness.

Following the season’s suspension, the BCCI confirmed that the league would be moved to the United Arab Emirates for the 2021 season’s conclusion, but did not specify when.

Now the body has confirmed that the league will resume on September 19 in Dubai with a blockbuster clash between Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians.

In total, 31 matches are set to be played over the course of 27 days. 13 will take place in Dubai, 10 in Sharjah and 8 in Abu Dhabi. The 1st Qualifier will be played in Dubai on October 10 October. The Eliminator & Qualifier 2 will be played in Sharjah on October 11 and 13 respectively with Dubai hosting the Final of VIVO IPL 2021 on October 15.

This is the second consecutive IPL tournament to be disrupted by the pandemic, with the 2020 edition being delayed to the autumn and relocated to the UAE.