The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has written to the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) as it plans to move the 2020 Indian Premier League to the United Arab Emirates. 

The ECB confirmed on Monday the receipt of an official 'Letter of Intent' from the competition organisers, although the deal must still be ratified by the Indian government. 

The switch amid the coronavirus pandemic has long been rumoured, with the IPL eyeing a start date of September 19. The final would take place on November 8. 

Confirmed COVID-19 cases are still growing in India, swelling to well over a million, the third-most across the globe. 

The ECB has already started making plans to step in, as secretary general Mubashshir Usmani said: "There are many factors which influence the operations and logistics of hosting what is the world's most exciting, popular and lucrative tournament. 

"This is a massive movement of people and equipment and we now need to bring in the experts to discuss all aspects of UAE hosting the IPL." 

The UAE co-hosted the 2014 competition as the IPL clashed with India's general election, raising security concerns.