Instances when IPL took place outside India and reason behind it

Four times IPL has been moved out of India so far.

Since its inception in 2008, Indian Premier League (IPL) has witnessed 18 editions. The league began in 2008 with the inaugural edition and thrilled cricket fans with nail-biting T20 games. Later, the tournament took place every year with new editions.

Notably, IPL is the richest franchise T20 league in the world. The Board of Cricket Control (BCCI) always eye to conduct IPL tournaments inside the country. The tournament injects a lot of cash flow from sponsors. Therefore, the BCCI looks to benefit the Government of India through taxes and reinvest the profits into Indian cricket for the development of players and cricket infrastructure.

However, there have been a few instances when BCCI had to conduct the IPL outside the country due to various reasons. Since 2008, a total of four editions were completely or partially conducted outside India. On that note, let’s elaborate on instances when the IPL took place outside India.

Four instances when IPL took place outside India and why

1. IPL 2009, South Africa

The league’s second edition, IPL 2009, took place in South Africa. In 2009, India had general elections from April 16 to May 13. As a result, the Government of India refused BCCI to provide security for the league from paramilitary forces. Therefore, the BCCI decided to shift the tournament outside the country.

South Africa was chosen as hosts of the tournament. All 59 games took place across different venues in South Africa. Now-defunct Deccan Chargers won the title by crushing Royal Challengers Bangalore (now Royal Challengers Bengaluru) in the final at the Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg.

2. IPL 2014, UAE (First leg)

Similarly like in 2009, IPL 2014 was shifted outside India due to the general elections in the country. The Government of India refused to provide security once again as the tournament clashed with the general elections, which were scheduled to take place from April 7 to May 12, 2024.

Hence, BCCI conducted the first leg of the tournament in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Notably, only the first 20 games took place across UAE’s three cities – Dubai, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi. The rest of the 40 games were played in India. Gautam Gambhir-led Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) won the title in IPL 2014 by defeating Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) in the final at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru.

3. IPL 2020, UAE

In the year 2020, International Cricket Council (ICC) postponed the ICC T20 World Cup 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Coronavirus outbreak affected the entire world in the first quarter of 2020 and lockdown was imposed by many countries, including India.

As a result, the BCCI postponed IPL 2020 indefinitely and then moved it to September-November window and conducted it in the UAE. Three venues across UAE – Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Dubai International Cricket Stadium and Sharjah Cricket Stadium – hosted all 60 games of the 2020 edition.

Rohit Sharma-led Mumbai Indians (MI) outplayed Delhi Capitals (DC) in the final at the Dubai International Stadium and became the first team to capture five IPL trophies.

4. IPL 2021, UAE (Second leg)

In IPL 2021, BCCI decided to conduct the league inside the country and bring back the tournament in India. The league started on April 9 and went smoothly till the 31st game on May 4. However, the country witnessed a third wave of Covid-19 pandemic. A few players part of the tournament also contracted the disease.

As a result, BCCI postponed the tournament with immediate effect. Later, the second leg of the season was organized in the UAE from September 19 to October 15. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) won the trophy by defeating Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the final clash at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

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