The recent surge in Covid-19 cases in Maharashtra has forced the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to rework its plans with regard to hosting the 14th edition of the IPL in the country.

The BCCI is now looking at hosting the money-spinning league at five venues — Calcutta, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Hyderabad/Delhi, and Chennai. The Motera stadium in Ahmedabad will host the playoffs and the final. Sources told The Telegraph that the tournament is expected to begin on April 7 and continue for nearly eight weeks.

Mumbai’s Wankhede and Brabourne stadiums along with Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil and Reliance Cricket stadiums had earlier been earmarked for the IPL. The league matches were also scheduled at the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium in Pune.

The BCCI had been looking at creating a smaller bio-secure bubble which would prevent extensive travelling, availing flights and passing through airports but the rising number of Covid-19 cases in Maharashtra has forced it to come up with a Plan B.

The successful hosting of the Mushtaq Ali and Vijay Hazare Trophy tournaments has also prompted the BCCI to think of hosting the IPL in bio-secure bubbles at far-away venues.

“Hosting it at different venues is not as tough as was initially thought. The BCCI will fly the teams by chartered aircraft and ensure hassle-free disembarkation of the players and support staff from the tarmac,” the source maintained.

There’s also a possibility of shifting the ODI series against England out of Pune. The three-match ODI series is scheduled at the MCA Stadium from March 23 to 28.

With the schedule for the Assembly elections in Bengal and Tamil Nadu announced on Friday, the BCCI will hold discussions with the administration of the respective states to avoid a clash in dates. Polls will be held in Bengal from March 27 to April 29, while Tamil Nadu will vote on April 6.

During the 2016 Assembly elections, matches were held at Eden Gardens in phases so that adequate police bandobast was available. In the initial stages, matches were held on April 10 and 13, followed by a long break. The next round of games at Eden Gardens took place from May 4 of that year.

“We are trying to work out similar arrangements in Calcutta and Chennai. Hopefully things will be sorted out soon,” said the source. The BCCI is contemplating allowing spectators at stadiums during the IPL after success during the Tests against England.