(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) India�s senior team has not played in the emirates since 2006 when it contested two one-day internationals against pakistan.
sunil gavaskar expects india’s cricket to return to uae schedule permitting
india cricket legend sunil gavaskar has said that if the schedule allows then he expects india to return to play cricket in the uae as soon as there is a window available according to a press release.
india’s senior team has not played in the emirates since 2006 when it contested two one-day internationals against pakistan.
but following on from the uae’s successful hosting of 20 matches in the recent pepsi indian premier league gavaskar said he expected that absence to change.
speaking after receiving honorary life membership of the els club at dubai sports city the 18-hole championship golf course managed by troon golf gavaskar said: “i think now we have had an opening through the pepsi indian premier league that (a return to the uae by the india team) is certainly something the bcci (board of control for cricket in india) will consider.
“there was the security the authorities in the uae provided the facilities at the grounds the practice facilities the venues and the way the crowds responded.
“in all aspects the uae outdid itself and that made a huge impression on the authorities in india.
“as soon as there is a window available i am pretty sure those authorities will be looking to come here (to the uae) whether it is to play pakistan or whether to play a triangular tournament i am not too sure.
“(but) i think india will be looking for the window to come back here.”
of the 20 pepsi indian premier league matches hosted in the uae 19 were sold out including all five match-days at dubai sports city’s 25000-capacity dubai international stadium.
dubai sports city partner abdulrahman falaknaz who along with dubai sports city president khalid al zarooni bestowed the honorary life membership of the els club on gavaskar said: “i think the pepsi indian premier league proved a lot of cricket can be played here in the uae with the venues we have.
“all three venues are fantastic with the dubai international stadium (at dubai sports city) out of this world and we want to keep it that way. if there is a hope of hosting more ipl tournaments or india again we are here for them every time and any time” he added.
the champions league twenty20 tournament is scheduled to take place in september 2014 and gavaskar who assumed the role of bcci president during the pepsi indian premier league said there was a chance it would take place in the uae.
“certainly there is a possibility” he said. “there are two aspects at the back of the bcci’s mind. one is the weather in india at that stage because there is still a little of the monsoon around (and) although it will be tapering off you do not want to have matches washed out.
“and the fact is that at that time (of year) there will be a lot of people wanting to come to dubai (as the summer heat eases). these are factors that will come into play.
“the decision will depend on the host broadcaster (too) and what they feel because (different) timings (from india) can make a difference.
“all those factors are there but i am pretty certain it will be sorted out in the next four weeks or so” he added.
gavaskar also said he had written to india’s supreme court to seek clarification on his position and whether he was still required to fulfill the role of bcci president.
“at the moment i am a little unsure what has happened” he said. “when the appointment first came through from the honorable supreme court it was pretty clear it was until the end of the ipl.
“but in the middle (of the ipl) there was a hearing at which point it was said i should carry on until further orders.
“so i have just written to them so i should know in the next few days whether my role is over or whether i still continue with it. at the moment i am little in the dark about it” he added.
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