NEW DELHI (TIP): BCCI would have loved to host the IPL in South Africa but the plan was shelved because of the cost factor. According to sources, Cricket South Africa ( CSA) was demanding close to Rs 180 crore to host the T20 event, though it could not be ascertained if the demand was for hosting the entire event or just a part.

The steep demand put off not only the board but also IPL team owners who did not want to spend that kind of money. Thus, South Africa lost out as a possible host as the teams did not want to go there even for a part of the event. In comparison, BCCI will need to spend a total of around Rs 60 crore on staging the event in UAE, and if needed, Bangladesh. Of course, the board will save some more money if the government allows IPL matches in India from the first week of May itself.

“These venues work out to be cheaper. The intention is to play as many matches as possible in India. The calculations have been done but we will get correct figures only after home ministry’s direction,” a top BCCI official told TOI. Franchises hope that a large population of expats in UAE will help boost revenue from gate receipts which would compensate them partly