IPL 2020 is set for record TV viewers with primetime TV slots

The IPL 2020 is just around the corner now and excitement is building for the return of the world’s most popular sporting events.

The 2020 IPL which was scheduled to start earlier this year had to be delayed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic that has infected millions worldwide. Not only was the IPL delayed but the location has also been moved to the UAE. The decision to relocate the IPL was a tough choice but because of rising coronavirus infections in India it was too dangerous to host the event there. The only other option in order to allow the tournament to go ahead was move it to another location.

Although the tournament has been relocated to the UAE, it will still take place behind closed doors. The opening match is scheduled for Saturday 18th September between Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians at Sheikh Zayed Stadium at 7:30 pm.

Since the tournament cannot allow fans to attend this means we will all need to tune in via our TVs.

“They (broadcasters) are actually expecting the highest rating of IPL this season because they believe if (people) don’t turn up in the ground, they will be actually watching on their television sets,” said Sourav Ganguly, President of the BCCI.

Sourav is confident that before the tournament ends that fans will be back in the stadiums and was quoted saying “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.”

Whether this becomes a reality we will have to wait until later in the season and before it finishes on November 10th. 

Rajasthan Royals batsman Robin Uthappa believes this years IPL season is very special and was quoted saying; “Most definitely, it is going to be really special this year, simply because of what we all have gone through as a human race,” 

“I think in this unpredictable time, we were and are craving for normalcy and this tournament and sports, in general, brings about that feeling of normalcy back into our lives.”

With the IPL returning on Saturday are you prepared and will you be tuning in to watch?