(Reuters) – English cricket fans could get the chance to see people like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma clearing boundaries regularly, with London mayor Sadiq Khan set to spearhead a campaign to bring the Indian Premier League (IPL) to the English capital.
Following its inception in 2008, the IPL has achieved stratospheric growth, becoming one of the world’s most lucrative annual sports properties, attracting millions of spectators every season.
Khan, who is seeking re-election next month, has pledged to work with authorities to make the IPL the latest league to stage games in London, following the success bringing Major League Baseball and the National Football League to the capital.
“This is part of my plan to build a better London after the pandemic,” said Khan.
“I know Londoners want food to see more people like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant and, with two of the world’s largest cricket pitches at Lord and The Kia Oval, London is ideally placed to host IPL matches.
“I will never stop beating the drum for investing in our city and bringing the Indian Premier League to London would not only guarantee a home crowd for every country but boost tourism and generate much needed revenue to help get our city capital back on its feet. ”
The IPL has been staged outside India in the past, with South Africa hosting in 2009 and the UAE last year.
The 14th edition of the all-silver T20 league kicks off later on Friday with Royal Challengers Bangalore Kohli facing the Mumbai Rohit Indians.