The much-delayed Indian Premier League started on September 19 without its customary opening ceremony which is full of glitz and glamour. The Indian Premier League usually starts in March but was postponed as countries went into virus lockdowns. It was then moved to the UAE as cases rose in India.
All the eight teams have been asked to stay in strict, bio-secure “bubbles” since landing in the UAE, with the tournament set to kick off when Chennai Super Kings take on defending champions Mumbai Indians in Abu Dhabi on September 19.
There will be no gala and glamourous opening ceremony for the world’s biggest and richest T20 league, and the games will be played behind closed doors and without any audience at three venues including Dubai and Sharjah.
Yet, Sourav Ganguly, the president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, expects an increase in viewership for the 13th edition of the tournament with the matches scheduled for India’s evening primetime TV slots.
Ganguly said crowds could even return to the stands later in the 53-day tournament, which ends on November 10.
Players not playing in IPL 2020
Chennai Super King’s star player Suresh Raina has announced that he has pulled out of Indian Premier League 2020 due to personal reasons and will not be taking part in it. It has been reported that he had a rift with MS Dhoni and Chennai Super Kings staff over the hotel room. A brief report in Outlook, claimed that Raina had a rift with Dhoni and the CSK team management over his hotel room in Dubai. Dhoni tried his best and spoke to his close friend to bring the situation under control but his efforts went in vain. Raina also found the bio-bubble protocols in UAE 'stiff and hard to adjust' and was not very comfortable with it. With 13 members of the CSK contingent testing positive, it acted as the final nail in the coffin as the left-hander made up his mind and decided to return home.
However, after coming back to India, Raina himself broke the silence, clearing the confusion and clarifying the horrifying events that happened with his extended family on the night of August 19.
It has been reported that Suresh Raina’s uncle and aunt, along with their children, were sleeping peacefully in Pathankot’s Tharial village when unidentified assailants entered their house at around 7-8 p.m. and attacked them with their guns. They also took their cash and jewellery and fled from the spot.
Apart from Suresh Raina, star player Harbhajan Singh has also pulled out of IPL due to personal reasons.
Jason Roy, The England opener, who had joined the Delhi franchise at his base price of Rs 1.5 crore, suffered an injury in a recent practice session and was ruled out of the IPL season.
Kane Richardson, The Aussie pacer said he was opting out of IPL 2020 to be with his wife for the birth of their first child.
Lasith Malinga (Mumbai Indians): The 37-year-old Malinga, the most successful bowler in IPL history, opted out of IPL 2020, also due to personal reasons.