Organising the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 was not an easy task for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Players’ health was also at stake because of the increasing COVID-19, but the Indian board managed to end the cash-rich league on a successful note.
As coronavirus cases in India were peaking day by day, BCCI had to join hands with Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) for holding the 13th edition of the league. United Arab Emirates (UAE) had, earlier, successfully arranged some part of IPL 2014 but it was the first time, the entire league was shifted in the UAE. Also, with new norms introduced, there was the hullabaloo about how the Indian board will arrange it outside India.
Arun Dhumal reveals how BCCI was considering to cancel IPL 2020:
BCCI treasurer Arun Dhumal recently revealed that the IPL 2020 was on the verge of cancellation after tennis superstar Novak Djokovic tested positive for COVID-19.
The news of him being positive for coronavirus had put BCCI in a dilemma whether to put the health of their player at risk. Dhumal opened up they were mulling over whether to go ahead with IPL 2020 or not.
“After that report (about Djokovic testing positive) came in, we were in two minds. Many people told us to not go ahead with it (IPL). What if something happens to a player? The IPL would go on for almost three months. However, Jay said we should go ahead, he was more confident than all of us,” Dhumal was quoted as saying by Indian Express, as he recalled his conversation with BCCI secretary Jay Shah.
However, the IPL 2020 was staged from September 19 to November 10 without any major hiccups as top cricketers from around the globe plied their trade in the cash-rich league. Mumbai Indians lifted the trophy after beating Delhi Capitals.
Although the audience was not present in the stadium, this season recorded the most number of viewership. And it also helped in boosting the financial problem of BCCI.