Will the second phase of IPL be held outside India: BCCI will try to have the entire tournament in India, UAE as backup option.

In the 2021 IPL final held in Dubai, Chennai Super Kings won the title by defeating Kolkata Knight Riders.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to conduct IPL in two phases in view of the Lok Sabha elections. BCCI has released the schedule of the first phase, which will run from March 22 to April 7. The schedule of the second phase can come soon after the announcement of election dates by the Election Committee today i.e. on Saturday.

BCCI is trying to ensure that the entire tournament takes place in India.
BCCI is trying to have the entire tournament in India, although UAE has been kept as an option as a backup. A BCCI official said that there is full hope that the entire tournament will be held in India. Some franchises are looking at UAE as a backup option. That's why they are demanding passports from the players. However, BCCI has not yet told any franchise that it is exploring the possibility of pulling out of the league.
Franchisees want to keep backup ready at their level. The board cannot stop them from doing so. As far as the officials going to UAE is concerned, they have gone there for the ICC meeting.

Media report claims second phase of IPL may take place in UAE
In fact, it has been claimed in some media reports that the second phase of IPL can be held in UAE. Two arguments are being given for this.

First- Dubai visit of BCCI officials
In fact, quoting sources in the media report, it has been claimed that BCCI officials have gone to Dubai to explore possibilities for the second phase of IPL. Due to this, the possibility of conducting the second phase outside India in UAE has increased. ICC meeting is also being held in Dubai. BCCI officials have gone to participate in it.

Second- Franchises asked for passports from players
It has also been claimed in the report that some IPL franchises have asked for passports from their players. In such a situation, there is a possibility that the second phase of IPL may take place in UAE. Keeping this in mind, franchisees have started preparations. Nothing has been said by BCCI regarding ousting the franchises. The franchises are asking for passports of the players at their own level.

Competitions were held abroad in 2014 and 2009 also.
This is not the first time that the schedule of the Indian League has been affected due to the general elections. Earlier, in the seasons of 2019, 2014 and 2009, the schedule was prepared keeping the elections in mind.
The tournament was held in India after the elections in 2019. Whereas, half of the 2014 edition was held in the UAE. In 2009, the entire IPL was held in South Africa.

21 matches will be played in the first phase
The first phase of this season will be played between 22 March and 7 April. During this period, 21 matches will be played in 17 days, which will include 4 double headers (two matches in a day). The first match will be played on March 22 between defending champions Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore at Chepauk Stadium.

IPL chairman had claimed to conduct both phases in India.
Before releasing the schedule of the first phase, IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal had said that in view of the Lok Sabha elections, IPL will be conducted in two phases. The schedule of the second phase will be done by the Election Committee after the election dates. Dhumal had said that the second phase will also take place in India. It will not be done outside the country.

One argument is that the government does not want IPL to be out.
Regarding holding IPL in India, it is also being argued that the present government does not want IPL to be held outside India under any circumstances. Because in 2014, when it was shifted out due to the Lok Sabha elections, the BJP, which was in the opposition, had criticized the then Congress government and said that the government was not capable of holding the Lok Sabha elections and IPL simultaneously.

BJP had raised questions on the administrative capability of the Congress government. Since this time the BJP government is in power. In such a situation, if IPL goes out of the country, opposition parties can question the administrative capability of the BJP government and they will get an issue before the elections. In such a situation, the central government wants IPL to be held in India only. If there are elections in the southern states then IPL should be held in North or other areas where elections are not held.