The cricket fans, especially the Indians, were left pretty disappointed after the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 got postponed indefinitely due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, it is also true that nothing is more important than human life and we should be ready to experience many new changes in the sports world in the future.
The Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) is now working on the idea of organizing the IPL 2020 in the later part of the year but within the closed doors which means there will be no spectator in the stadium. Undoubtedly, the fun of the game will be reduced to a great extent because of the absence of spectators but in the present scenario, it can be the only solution to the problem.
The former Indian skipper and present BCCI President Sourav Ganguly has instructed all the state associations to check all the possible options of organizing the IPL matches, even if they have to be conducted in empty stadiums.
The idea of organizing matches in an empty stadium has received mixed reactions from the IPL owners, while majority has supported it, few of them have some reservations.
While talking to a new channel, Venky Mysore, the MD and CEO of Kolkata Knight Riders says that there is no doubt main focus has to be on the health and safety of all those who are related to the game – players and the fans. He further adds that a protocol needs to be developed in regard to ensuring the safety of each and every person connected with the game. He also says that in the present scenario, it is the most apt way of conducting the tournament.
Venky is well supported by Dhiraj Malhotra, the CEO of Delhi Capitals who is of the opinion that it is the only option left with us. As per him, the IPL franchises will earn some profit as gate money constitutes only 15-20 percent of their total revenue. Dhiraj agrees that the game won’t be the same without viewers but it is the only option available at the moment.
On the other hand, Chennai Super Kings and Kings XI Punjab have asked the BCCI to keep the option of organizing matches in empty stadiums as the last resort.
Do you think that the IPL 2020 should be organized in empty stadiums this year?
