The prospects of April Showers - the phenomenon of spring rains that routinely ruin cricket matches in England - are reportedly tilting the decision in favour of South Africa as IPL chief Lalit Modi winds up discussions in Johannesburg.
But leaders of the 1.75 million Indian diaspora in Britain who spoke to IANS clearly haven't given up hope.
"It would be great to have the IPL here," said Nat Puri, industrialist and president of the Indian Gymkhana sports club in London.
"We have enough major grounds here to give each side a home-ground. And this is England - you don't need to make them feel at home. They are at home already!
"I'll try and find a place for the boys to practice if they need a place," he offered.
Although the British government is yet to comment on the IPL, two Indian-origin MPs belonging to the ruling Labour Party happily joined the chorus of welcome.
"If it comes to England, we will welcome the tournament, and we will watch the matches," said Virendra Sharma, who represents the west London suburb of Southall, possibly the world's best-known Indian diaspora neighbourhood.
"IPL would be great for business and tourism and showcase Britain as a safe place," he said.
"The whole world should be supporting the IPL because it is such a brilliant new phenomenon - it's bringing the world together," said an excited Sharma, adding that he would be supporting Kings XI Punjab "since I am from Punjab."
Keith Vaz, the senior British MP of Indian origin and chairman of the parliament's Home Affairs Select Committee, said while there was "huge disappointment" that India is unable to host the tournament, "we will massively welcome it if it comes here."
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