IPL: A Celebration Of Cricket In India
The IPL (Indian Premier League) cricket matches are celebrated like a massive festival in India annually. The League has been entertaining people around the world for more than a decade as of 2018. Spectating a series of IPL matches and rooting for their home state is a summer treat for all Indians. Eight different teams play the IPL every year, representing eight different places in India. The current roster of teams includes Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Kings XI Punjab, Kolkata Knight Riders, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Delhi Capitals. The IPL’s matches are one of the most loved cricket matches globally, thanks to a diverse squad of players from various countries . Having won four IPL titles, Mumbai India have by far been the most successful team in the history of the League.
The IPL is conducted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Usually, these matches hit the ground during March or April every year. The very first edition of the IPL was held in 2008. Thanks to the current coronavirus pandemic, the matches have been postponed for the year of 2020, with no speculated date in sight until July 2020.. It has been announced that the League will be conducted during the months of September to November, 2020, at the United Arab Emirates.
It is believed that 2020 IPL may distract the people’s minds from COVID-19 cases numbers and instead people may start counting the runs. The IPL match will aid in spreading positivity among people and may bring in a change in people’s mind by entertaining them. The IPL is not just a matter of entertainment, it is an emotion-filled event for many. “IPL 2020 will bring a smile to people’s face”, stated Sachin Tendulkar, prominent Indian cricketer.
Breaking down IPL 2020:
- Title sponsor
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced that Dream11 will be the title sponsor for this year’s IPL cricket match. Dream11 is a virtual gaming platform wherein the users can play games online like cricket, hockey, football, kabaddi, volleyball, baseball, handball, and basketball. Dream11 Company was founded in the year 2008, and is based in Mumbai, Maharashtra. Star Sports, Hotstar, Paytm, Altroz, and Ceat are the other partners and sponsors of the IPL 2020 match series.
- Game venue
“The United Arab Emirates (UAE) confirmed as the venue for IPL 2020”, reported governing council chairman Brijesh Patel on 2nd August 2020. Within fifty-three days, the IPL tournament (consisting sixty matches) will be played across three venues in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah. It is noteworthy that the UAE is no newcomer when it comes to hosting the IPL, as they have already done so during the year of 2014 due to India’s general elections. Hardik Pandya, a Mumbai Indians team player has confirmed the team’s arrival in UAE by sharing a picture on social media platforms. Similarly, the arrival of other IPL teams in the UAE is also expected soon.
- Rules in UAE due to COVID-19 pandemic
After the arrival of all the IPL players and staff in UAE, they will undergo COVID-19 tests, followed by six days of quarantine. Only if the players and the other supporting staff clear all tests related to COVID-19 will they be eligible to enter the IPL 2020 tournament. High level of social distancing is demanded from the IPL cricket players and supporting staff. Sanitation, maintenance, and disinfectant processes in the UAE are expected immensely due to the pandemic.
- Schedule
The schedule for the IPL 2020 matches had been brought to public knowledge immediately after the announcement of the IPL in the UAE. It has been stated that the IPL 2020 series may witness matches at 14:30 IST and 19:30 IST. The BCCI has also scheduled the dates, times, and the teams’ list for IPL 2020 which can be viewed in the official IPL website, www.iplt20.com. The official site also updates the current events and changes in the IPL 2020 match series.
What is new in IPL 2020?
The IPL 2020 matches are going to be held completely in UAE which is a new addition to the IPL series. The auction for the IPL 2020was conducted in December 2019. The auction resulted in selling 33 Indian players and 29 overseas players. In the IPL 2020 match series, Pat Cummins became the highest paid foreign player, having been bought at 15.50 crores. He is an all-rounder, and belongs to the Kolkata Knight Riders team. Similarly, Virat Kohli was the highest paid Indian cricket player, valued at seventeen crores, and belongs to Royal Challengers Bangalore. Other popular players like Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Suresh Raina were paid 15 crores this year. This kind of auction for the players in the teams is held every year. However, an overseas player paid higher than the native player is new in an IPL tournament.
Eminent players in IPL:
Mahendra Singh Dhoni was claimed as the best player and best captain of the IPL series. The team under his leadership, Chennai Super Kings, managed to qualify for the final round eight times, and won the title three times. Also, players like Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma and David Warner have created cricket history by scoring the highest number of runs – 5412, 5368, 4898, and 4706, respectively – in the IPL. David Warner, an overseas player in Sunrisers Hyderabad was appreciated as the best player of IPL 2019.
THE WAIT IS OVER:
IPL 2020 is one of the most awaited festivals in India. The news of the IPL 2020 postponement was a huge disappointment for the Indian cricket fans. However, the latest announcement regarding the IPL 2020 matches in UAE brought immense excitement among the Indian cricket fans. Hope this thirteenth edition of IPL 2020 match series will refresh and entertain people’s minds and distract them from the COVID-19 pandemic worries.
