Sri Lanka has emerged as the dark horse to host the ICC T20 World Cup 2021, which is scheduled to be hosted by India. Given the situation around COVID-19 in India, there have been talks between BCCI and the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) in relation to hosting the T20 World Cup 2021.

Cricket: Sri Lanka emerges as darkhorse to host T20 World Cup - Report

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will request an extension of one month to decide on the hosting of the ICC T20 World Cup in India amid the COVID-19 threat as the ICC Board holds a virtual meeting on Tuesday to discuss the host of other issues, including the Future Tour Programmes (FTP) for the next cycle of 2023-31.

Cricket: ICC Board Meet - Outcomes unlikely on T20 World Cup hosting, FTP 2023-31 cycle to be discussed

With COVID-19 situation evolving every day around the world, Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have been kept among the back-up venues for the 2021 T20 World Cup should India fail to curb the spread of the dreaded virus in the country.

2021 T20 World Cup: UAE, Sri Lanka among back-up venues for tournament

Following the ICC Board meeting on Friday where the heads of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Cricket Australia (CA) connected via video-conference, it has been decided that the 2021 T20 World Cup will be hosted by India whereas the postponed 2020 edition of the showpiece tournament will be hosted in 2022 by Australia, WION can confirm.

India retain hosting rights for T20 World Cup 2021, Australia to host 2022 edition