IPL 2020 is just two days away. After the tournament was postponed, after many hindrances and altercations, the IPL will begin on September 19 in UAE.
The fact that IPL is even taking place under the situation is astounding. The sponsors made a lot of investments to make the tournament possible in such a short span. Even though the investments are healthy, the board has decided to make certain alterations to the IPL.
Therefore, IPL 2020 will not have an opening ceremony this year. There is obviously unnecessary funding required for the ceremony. Also, under such conditions having a ceremony will be a violation of stringent social distancing protocols.
The opening ceremony was cancelled last time as well by the Committee of Administrators (CoA). The allocated fund was donated to the families of CRPF personnel, who lost their lives in the Pulwama terror attack.
Also, for the first time ever, there won’t be any cheerleaders!
Ganguly expects the highest viewership and even crowds returning to watch the IPL!
The president of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Sourav Ganguly, however, expects a rise in viewership as the traditional evening slots of IPL are not hampered.
“They (broadcasters) are actually expecting the highest rating of IPL this season because they believe if (people) don’t turn up in the ground, they will be actually watching on their television sets,” said Ganguly.
“There is a positive in everything.”
Ganguly also made a bold statement claiming the audience may also be allowed to return to the stadium in the later part of the IPL. Obviously, proper safety measures will be followed by them.
“Because of the COVID and infection, you don’t want people to be too close to each other, but very soon you will see there will be 30 percent people in the ground with social distancing,” the former captain said.
“They are properly tested and allowed to enter the ground. But I think that is going to happen over a period of time.”
The opening match will be played between Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians at Shaikh Zayed Stadium at 7:30 PM.
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