Dream11 Indian Premier League 2020

Well, the 13^th edition of BCCI’s brainchild Indian Premier League was certainly uncertain due to Covid-19.  Kudos to BCCI and Governing Council IPL for making it happen.  IPL in India rather globally (in cricket playing nations) is not only just a game but also a bundle of emotions touching the heart of millions. Cricket in India is beyond a game, it is a RELIGION. In the first fortnight of March, chances of IPL being held as per schedule became bleak due to the Pandemic. But with good administrative efforts of BCCI President Mr. Saurav Ganguly, Secretary Jay Shah, and IPL Governing Council Chairmen Brijesh Patel, we are enjoying delightful games.

Way Back to March to July…

In April, with rising Covid-19 cases in India, BCCI and IPL Governing Council offered other cricket boards to host IPL, and the invitation was accepted by Cricket South Africa Board, UAE Cricket Board, and Sri Lanka Cricket. But Governing Council decided to conduct IPL in UAE and spent almost Rs. 10 Crore for safety measures. Dream11 bagged the title sponsorship for IPL 2020 with a final bid of INR 222 Crore against Patanjali, Tata groups, and Unacdemy.

Bio-Bubble

Bio-Bubble is like getting sealed off from the outside environment by being in a very restricted zone. To create Bio-bubble all the team franchises arrived in UAE by August 23^rd and entered in bio-bubble in their respective hotels for 14 days with regular COVID checks for odd days.  

Bluetooth Wrist Band

 Bluetooth Wrist Bands were compulsory for all the players, their families, and team owners. Wrist band sound alarms the players if they breach the 2-meter social distance norm. Players are also instructed to enter rooms of other players and should sit in a team bus in a zig-zag manner so the distance is maintained. No play stations for players to get out of stress and in-house hairstylists have been arranged by their respective franchises.  

Challenges for Players

Coming back to the game, Cricket after COVID is going be harder for players especially bowlers.

• Ban of Saliva on the ball
  • Bowlers used saliva for more swing of the ball as a part of maintaining the ball for more overs especially in grass covered pitches. Now the ban of saliva on the ball will make it very tough to maintain the ball.
• High Humidity in UAE which dehydrates players easily.
• Dew factor for Bowlers.
• The ball will be sanitized whenever it goes out of the playing arena within the restricted zone of playing.

Interesting facts about IPL 2020

• No Opening Ceremony
• Use of No Ball Technology – Third umpire can buzz siren if on-field umpires fail to notice No ball by the bowler.
• Mid-Season transfer – Franchises can trade players who have played 2 or less matches after completion of 7 matches for all the teams.
• This will be the first time IPL will be conducted without Mister IPL Suresh Raina.
• Longer IPL – As afternoon matches had lesser viewership, Governing Council has decided to conduct lesser afternoon matches making IPL longer for 60 days. 

Virtual Gallery

Fans can record and send their video of supporting their favorite team, it will be displayed on the video gallery in the stadium.

Virtual Sound-12^th Man

Playing pre-recorded sounds of the crowd cheering to their favorite teams which cheers and motivates players is the best innovative thing that worked tremendously well.    

Sportsmanship Spirit

IPL is known for quality cricket but it always withheld the spirit of cricket. We have already witnessed some great sportsmanship spirit.

• Yashasvi Jaiswal’s gesture to Mahendra Singh Dhoni
• Mitchell Marsh’s fighting spirit in spite of injury
• Rahul Tewatia’s belief in himself.

Adoption of the overseas condition by young bloods of the domestic circuit can decide the quality of cricket being played in India. Young Players to watch out for are:

Devdutt Paddikal, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Mavi, Ravi Bishnoi, Karthik Tyagi and Ishan Kishan

Apart from all this, if the 13^th edition of IPL didn’t take place then BCCI would have incurred a loss of INR 20 Lakhs per ball. Indeed, Indian Premier League was the need for the hour because it attracts attention, provides entertainment, and diverts thoughts of people from Covid-19.