The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is all set to save Rs 30 Crores/year as the board has decided not to organise opening ceremonies in next seasons of the Indian Premier League (IPL). As per a report in The Indian Express, the board finds staging opening ceremony too costly. Hence, the board decided to do cost-cutting by scrapping the ceremony.
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In 2019, the BCCI had decided to shelve the cereoney and contributed the money to the families of CRPF personnel who were martyred in a terrorist attack in Pulwana earlier this year. The ceremony did take place in 2018. Though a couple of captains missed the event due to their match the next day in another state.
In 2017, the BCCI celebrated 10 years of IPL by organising eight opening ceremonies – one ceremony at each venue. Many top Bollywood and Hollywood superstars have performed at IPL opening ceremonies since the inception but the fans haven’t likes these events.
Other changes –
During the IPL’s GC meeting, the idea to minimise umpiring errors was also discussed and as per multiple reports, there will be a special umpire during matches who keep a check on the no-balls. On occasions, the on-field umpires have bungled up and the backup umpire’s sole job will be taking a call on no-balls, which will surely help minimise errors.
It was also announced that the auction for the next season of the league will take place on December 19 in Kolkata. All the franchise have eight days left to announce the names released players and players whom they have traded to other franchise.
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Kings XI Punjab will soon announce the exit of R Ashwin as their former captain is set to join Delhi Capitals. There were also talks that DC were in talks with Rajasthan Royals to acquire the services of Ajinkya Rahane but nothing has been confirmed yet.