What role did the BCCI play in executing IPL abroad successfully?


IPL 2023 Winner

The BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) played a central and commanding role in executing the IPL abroad — both in 2009 (South Africa) and 2020 (UAE). Their ability to organize a mega-tournament outside India not once, but multiple times, showcased their logistical, diplomatic, and financial muscle.

🧩 BCCI’s Role in Successfully Executing IPL Abroad:

🧠 1. Strategic Decision-Making

  • Took swift decisions in response to challenges like the 2009 Indian General Elections and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

  • Prioritized the continuity of the IPL brand, ensuring it never skipped a season — even in a global crisis.

🌍 2. Finding Suitable Host Nations

  • In 2009, negotiated with multiple cricket boards (England, Sri Lanka) before finalizing South Africa.

  • In 2020, chose UAE for its proximity, prior IPL experience (2014), and ability to enforce bio-secure protocols.

  • In both cases, BCCI ensured Indian prime-time-friendly scheduling to maintain TV viewership.

🤝 3. International Collaboration

  • Worked closely with:

    • Cricket South Africa (CSA) in 2009

    • Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) in 2020

  • Managed government clearances, venue allocation, and security protocols with host boards.

  • Maintained control over IPL’s governance and commercial rights, even while outsourcing infrastructure.

📺 4. Broadcast and Commercial Safeguarding

  • Ensured Star Sports and other rights holders could broadcast matches without technical disruptions.

  • Protected multi-crore sponsorship deals through coordinated branding at foreign venues.

  • Introduced remote production innovations — especially in 2020 with digital-only engagement strategies.

✈️ 5. Team Coordination and Travel

  • Facilitated:

    • Chartered flights for teams, broadcasters, and staff

    • Visa processing

    • Accommodation and transport bubbles

  • BCCI had dedicated logistics teams coordinating across three cities in UAE or multiple provinces in SA.

🧪 6. Health and Safety Management (IPL 2020)

  • Designed one of cricket’s first fully functional bio-secure bubbles.

  • Collaborated with medical experts, hotel chains, testing labs, and local governments.

  • Made strict SOPs that governed everything from practice to hotel elevators.

💰 7. Financial Buffering

  • Absorbed additional costs of:

    • Overseas hosting

    • Logistics

    • Insurance premiums

  • Ensured franchises and broadcasters were not burdened, keeping the ecosystem financially healthy.

🧩 8. Schedule and Format Optimization

  • Reworked the entire IPL schedule for foreign time zones, weather conditions, and ground availability.

  • Compressed travel and double-headers smartly to reduce fatigue and risk.

✅ Bottom Line:

The BCCI’s centralized control, proactive diplomacy, and adaptability were the key reasons the IPL could go abroad and still feel like a "home" product — both for teams and fans.

Want a behind-the-scenes look at how the IPL Governing Council and franchise owners coordinated during these editions?