As the cash-rich T20 Indian Premier League (IPL) is all set to get started by 19th September, and this time no No Opening Ceremony and Cheerleaders. The fans are eagerly counting hours to watch their teams in action. The Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) did every possible trick to commence the league that will finally be in action between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings after a few hours.
Following the COVID-19 dominant times, the league will be entirely held behind closed doors without spectators. However, as there will be no live spectators, many people will be watching the games from their homes. Consequently, the broadcasters are expecting high ratings this season.
However, as there will be no selling of tickets, the board has failed to make money in this regard; hence, it will not carry the opening ceremony. Another possible reason that BCCI has not organized the opening ceremony and cheerleaders might be the COVID-19 dominant times. Therefore, it might be to avoid any further spread.
No opening ceremony and cheerleaders in IPL
“They (broadcasters) are expecting the highest rating of IPL this season because they believe if (people) don’t turn up in the ground. They will be watching on their television sets. There is a positive in everything,” Ganguly was quoted as saying during an online lecture as part of the ‘Symbiosis Golden Jubilee Lecture Series.’
“…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. They are properly tested and allowed to enter the ground. But I think that is going to happen over a period of time,” he added.
