The official broadcaster of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2020) expects more than 550 million viewers in the 13th edition of the league. The market expects IPL 2020 to deliver unprecedented ratings this year.
The lucrative Twenty20 cricket competition which has been delayed for several months, is now set to roll tonite in the UAE due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In the original concept, it was a made-for-television event and due to Covid-19 it will be limited to a television-only event as fans cannot enter the stadium.
With no viewers allowed to begin with, it will be a great TV viewing experience for the cricket-loving population and fans of India around the world.
This global festival of cricket’s biggest stars playing in a snack-sized version of the game kicks off on Saturday with the defending champions Mumbai Indians against Chennai Super Kings in Abu Dhabi.
But can IPL 2020 live up to expectations?
Although the BCCI, the station and the street expect IPL 2020 to deliver large numbers. But can it really happen?
During the pandemic, whatever sporting event it started, it saw a particular trend. Viewership ratings in the first week of the event have always seen a big increase, but they decreased as the tournament / league progressed. It happened with the Bundesliga, the Premier League, with La Liga and more recently with the US Open Tennis.
After a good opening, the US Open Tennis could not sustain the enthusiasm for two weekends. With few big names missing, the tournament saw a nearly 50% drop in the qualifying charts in the US.
Without a doubt, Indian cricket audiences are hungry for LIVE action. Qualifying is sure to see a jump in week one of IPL 2020, but the real challenge will begin as the league moves into its second week.
It will be a big challenge for BCCI and the league’s broadcasters to maintain ratings with empty stadiums on screen.
IPL 2020: Big stars including Virat Kohli are in UAE since last 4 weeks, have they gotten back in shape?
Another challenge for IPL 2020 would be to get the players back in shape after a long 6-month break.
India’s captain Virat Kohli, who plays for the Royal Challengers Bangalore, and most of India’s top players have been in the Emirates since the end of last month. They have been in quarantine and are slowly getting into shape for the first time since a tour of New Zealand ended in defeat of the test series in early March. A series in South Africa was canceled when international sports were shut down at the start of the coronavirus outbreak.
Some players have already warmed up in the Caribbean Premier League, which ended with Trinbago Knight Riders winning the title undefeated in 12 matches.An influx of stars from Australia and England was late. Australians Pat Cummins, David Warner, Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell finished a limited tour of England with a one-day international series win against the world champions on Wednesday.
Eoin Morgan and Jofra Archer are among England players who have been in so-called biosecurity bubbles on occasion since international cricket resumed and who will also have to re-isolate themselves before joining the IPL.
Mumbai Indians spinner Jayant Yadav said biosecurity bubbles and quarantines are the “new normal.”
“Over time, you got used to it” said about his early days preparing for the IPL in the UAE. “As athletes, you are used to being in a hurry, to training or going to the field. More than the skill part, I miss the camaraderie of going to a locker room, or the team bus, or talking to everyone about cricket. “
He pointed to some of the changes to the tours, such as regular testing for Covid-19, temperature checks and face masks, but said the protocols were enforced for the safety of everyone involved.
“It is our responsibility and prerogative as players to adhere to all the things that our management requires of us so that we can have a good, happy and safe IPL.” Yadav said.
IPL 2020: BCCI takes IPL to a foreign location for the third time, will it comply?
India had to bring the world’s richest national tournament to shore again (the second edition of the IPL was held in South Africa in 2009) due to the growing impact of the virus on the world’s second most populous country and travel restrictions that it has caused.
India’s Ministry of Health has confirmed that the nation’s total cases have exceeded 5.1 million since the pandemic began. At the current rate of infection, India is expected to exceed 6.6 million reported cases in a few weeks in the United States, which is currently the country with the most reported infections.
Across the country, India is testing more than 1 million samples a day, though restrictions have eased since the strong early shutdown.
Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, the seven sheikhs of the United Arab Emirates have taken different stances towards the blockades and limitation of movement. The city-state of Dubai, packed with skyscrapers and dependent on tourists, reopened to visitors in July and has actively courted travelers. Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi has closed its borders and still requires anyone who enters to have had a coronavirus test result in the last 48 hours.
In recent days, when schools resumed classes, the daily number of confirmed coronavirus cases has reached 1,007. Authorities responded by warning that closures and fines could be resumed for breaking the rules, although restaurants and bars serving food remain open.
There will be 56 games in 46 days for the free-for-all format, which concludes on November 3. The final is scheduled for November 10, which will give the Australian and Indian players a short break before the scheduled limited-out tour of India. Below.
In the midst of all the troubles, if IPL 2020 can deliver as it always has, it will be only because of the unwavering love that the Indian public has for the sport of cricket.
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