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Tag: Indian Premier League

  • IPL 2021 set to welcome fans back to the stadiums

    IPL 2021 set to welcome fans back to the stadiums

    Mumbai: The Vivo Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 resumes on 19 September with the five-time champions and current title holders Mumbai Indians taking on three-time IPL champions Chennai Super Kings at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. 

    The spectators will be allowed back to the stadiums after a brief hiatus owing to Covid-19, the league announced on Wednesday. Fans can buy tickets starting 16 September for the remainder of the tournament on the IPL website and PlatinumList.net.

    The IPL, which was suspended in early May, will now be played at three venues in the UAE: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah with limited seating available keeping in mind the Covid-19 protocols and UAE government regulations.

    This is the second edition of the IPL to be played during the pandemic. In 2020, too, the BCCI had shifted the IPL to the UAE where the entire tournament was played behind closed doors.

    This year’s IPL which started in India on 9 April, also behind closed doors, was suspended indefinitely on 3 May after several members from four different franchises at two different venues tested positive for Covid-19. Twenty-nine matches were played in the first phase before IPL 2021 went into a Covid-forced postponement.

  • BCCI invites bids to acquire IPL franchise rights

    BCCI invites bids to acquire IPL franchise rights

    Mumbai: The Board of Cricket Control of India (BCCI) has invited bids to acquire the right to own and operate one of the two new teams proposed to be introduced to take part in the Indian Premier League starting from the 2022 season, through a tender process.

    BCCI, honorary secretary, Jay Shah said the detailed terms and conditions governing the submission and evaluation of bids including eligibility requirements, process for submissions of bids, proposed new teams’ rights, and obligations, etc are contained in the ‘Invitation to Tender’ (ITT). “ITT will be made available on receipt of payment of a non-refundable fee of Rs 10 lakh plus any applicable goods and services tax. It will be available for purchase till 5 October,” he said.

    “Interested parties are requested to email at ittipl2021@bcci.tv to get further details for purchasing the ITT. The email requesting the ITT should have the subject line ‘ITT for the Right to Own and Operate One of Two Proposed New IPL Teams’. Any interested party wishing to submit a bid is required to purchase the ITT. However, only those satisfying the eligibility criteria set out in the ITT and subject to the other terms and conditions set out therein shall be eligible to bid. It is clarified that merely purchasing this ITT does not entitle any person to bid,” Shah added.

    BCCI reserves the right to cancel or amend the bidding process at any stage in any manner without providing any reason.

  • IPL 2021 to resume on 19 September, final on 15 October : report

    Mumbai: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to resume the remainder of the suspended edition of the 14th Indian Premier League (IPL) on 19 September in the United Arab Emirates. According to a media report, the final match will be played on 15 October- the day India will be celebrating Dussehra this year.

    BCCI had earlier announced that the IPL 2021 will be scheduled in Dubai, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi, in wake of the ongoing health crisis in the country.  The 14th edition of the immensely popular cricket league that began on 9 April was suspended mid-way on 4 May after several cricketers including team staff tested positive for Covid-19. Total 29 out of the 60 games have been played so far, while 31 matches remain in the current season. 

    “The discussions went well, and with the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) already giving us the oral nod to host the event ahead of the BCCI SGM, it was about closing the deal over the last week. The first game after the season resumes will be held on 19 September, while we have the final on 15 October. The BCCI was always keen on a 25-day window to finish the remaining matches,” reported ANI quoting a senior BCCI official.

    The officials also added that discussions are progressing steadily to ensure the availability of foreign players for the tournament.

    “BCCI will talk to the foreign boards and check on the availability of foreign cricketers. We are confident that BCCI will find the best possible solution. And honestly, it is a matter of the BCCI officials speaking to the respective board officials. So we have to wait to hear from the board on this,” added the official.

    IPL 2020 was played in the United Arab Emirates last September when the world braved the first onslaught of the deadly pandemic.

    The apex cricket body in India had earlier revealed that the governing body will incur a loss of Rs 2,500 crore if the suspended IPL 2021 is called off for this year. “If we fail to complete the IPL, the loss will be close to Rs 2500 crore ($340 million approximately). That is going by early estimates,” BCCI president Sourav Ganguly had told The Telegraph. 

  • IPL suspension may hit Disney+ subscribers’ growth, ad revenue, says top exec

    IPL suspension may hit Disney+ subscribers’ growth, ad revenue, says top exec

    KOLKATA: When the Board of Cricket Council of India (BCCI)’s announced on 4 May, that it is indefinitely suspending the Indian Premier League (IPL) mid-way, the decision was backed by advertisers and broadcasters alike. The health and safety of players and staff was indeed paramount in  wake of the current Covid crisis in the country.

    But it also left media and advertising professionals guessing the impact that the suspension of one of the biggest cricket tournaments could have on the businesses, especially IPL’s official broadcaster – Star India.

    According to a top Disney executive, there could be an immediate effect on Disney+ subscriber addition guidance for the next two quarters. Despite lesser revenue with a low ARPU, Disney+Hotstar contributes significantly to the overall subscriber base of The Walt Disney Co’s biggest streaming bet since Disney’s entry in India last year merging with existing Hotstar service.

    While Disney+ paid subscribers have reached 103.6 million subscribers, Disney+Hotstar has nearly crossed around 34.5 million subscribers, which accounts for one-third of the overall base.

    The company spokespersons in the earnings call revealed that they expect “fewer net subscribers’ addition in the second half of the year given the Covid-related suspension of the IPL season and the decision to move the Star+ Latin America launch to the fourth quarter.” After the launch of Disney+Hotstar in India, the network had taken the tournament entirely behind the paywall for the first time.

    Other than millions of viewers who tune in to TV or OTT platforms to watch one of the biggest cricket spectacles, numerous brands also line up for quick reach and brand recall. Disney+Hotstar had roped in 14 sponsors for IPL 2021 and was expected to rake in higher ad revenue this year. But with the recent turn of events, IPL suspension could hit the advertising revenue too. “You could see a decrease in the ARPU and the subscribers in India if that plays out like we just said,” Christine McCarthy said during the earnings call.

    The 14th edition of the IPL was suspended after the bio-secure bubble was invaded by the Covid-19 and several players and team staff contracted the disease. The fate of the tournament now hangs in balance, as BCCI now faces the challenge of finding a suitable window to play the rest of the matches this year. BCCI president Sourav Ganguly has already made it clear that there is no option, but to play the remainder of the season outside India.

    “About half of the 60 IPL matches that were expected to be played this season have already taken place. So you’re looking at the back half, 30 games to be played. So sure, if they were able to successfully relocate the tournament, we would hopefully see an impact, especially on advertising,” McCarthy replied while asked if rescheduling of IPL would change the outlook for the second half of the financial year.

    With the second wave of Covid-19 ravaging the country, and a third wave likely, it remains to be seen how BCCI will navigate through the pandemic and schedule the remaining matches in a Cricket-packed year. The big-ticket events like ICC T20 World Cup are also scheduled for October-November 2021.

    “The big issue is going to be when in the quarter and if it overlaps into q4, or if it goes into the first fiscal quarter, which starts for us and the beginning of October. So it would have an impact on it, it just depends on when it would come in. Let’s hope they can relocate it,” McCarthy added further.

  • Remaining IPL matches to be played outside India: BCCI prez Sourav Ganguly

    Remaining IPL matches to be played outside India: BCCI prez Sourav Ganguly

    New Delhi: The remainder of the suspended Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 will be played outside the country, said Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) head Sourav Ganguly, putting to rest a lot of speculations about the league.

    While it remains unclear if a window will be available this year to play the outstanding 31 games of the tournament, Ganguly said he is sure that it will not happen in India in the present scenario.

    The 14th edition of the immensely popular cricket league that began on 9 April was suspended mid-way last week after several cricketers including team staff tested positive for Covid-19.

    “There are lots of organisational hazards like 14-day quarantine. It can’t happen in India,” Ganguly told Sportstar magazine in an exclusive interview, expressing reservations over holding rest of the league matches in India due to the Covid-19 restrictions .”This quarantine is tough to handle. Too early to say how we can find a slot to complete the IPL.”

    Warwickshire, Surrey and the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) are keen to host the remaining matches in September. But according to a Reuters report, BCCI is yet to discuss the offer.

    IPL 2020 was played in the United Arab Emirates last September when the world braved the first onslaught of the deadly pandemic.

    The BCCI head had earlier revealed that the governing body will incur a loss of Rs 2,500 crore if the suspended IPL 2021 is called off for this year. “If we fail to complete the IPL, the loss will be close to Rs 2500 crore ($340 million approximately). That is going by early estimates,” he had told The Telegraph. 

    Meanwhile, India would play three one-dayers and five Twenty20 Internationals in Sri Lanka in July.

    The Indian team is expected to leave for England in early June for the World Test Championship final in Southampton against New Zealand. They will play a five-test series against England.

  • Covid relief: Sunrisers Hyderabad donates Rs 30 crore

    Covid relief: Sunrisers Hyderabad donates Rs 30 crore

    KERALA: Sun TV Network, owners of IPL team Sunrisers Hyderabad, has donated Rs 30 crore towards India’s Covid2019 relief efforts. The amount donated by Sun TV will be used to undertake Covid relief works carried out by the central and state governments along with various other non-profits. 

    “Sun TV Network is donating a sum of Rs 30 crore to provide relief to those affected by the second wave of the Covid pandemic. This will be spent on several initiatives currently underway at various states of India including the following: 1. Donations to the various programmes initiated by the government of India and state governments. 2. Partnering with NGOs that are providing oxygen cylinders, medicines, etc,” said Sunrisers Hyderabad. 

    The former IPL champions also added that Sun TV will leverage its resources and media assets to spread greater awareness among millions of its television viewing audiences. 

    Meanwhile, Honda India Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of all Honda group companies in India, has also pledged to donate Rs 6.5 crore to the country’s Covid relief efforts. 

    As a part of this, Honda India Foundation will also set up Covid care isolation centers and oxygen production plants in the country. The company revealed that the temporary Covid isolation centers will start functioning from next week. According to reports, Honda India Foundation is closely working with states like Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Haryana to set up oxygen plants.

    After reporting more than 4,00,000 fresh Covid cases for three consecutive days, India witnessed a slight dip in positive cases on May 9. On Sunday, the country reported over 3,60,000 fresh cases and 3,748 Covid-related deaths.  

  • BCCI to incur loss of Rs 2500 crore if IPL’s called off: Sourav Ganguly

    BCCI to incur loss of Rs 2500 crore if IPL’s called off: Sourav Ganguly

    KERALA: Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Sourav Ganguly has revealed that the governing body will incur a loss of Rs 2,500 crore should the suspended Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 be called off for good. This year’s IPL was cancelled earlier this week after the bio-secure bubble was invaded by the Coronavirus and several players and team staff contracted the disease.

    “If we fail to complete the IPL, the loss will be close to Rs 2500 crore ($340 million approximately). That is going by early estimates,” Ganguly told The Telegraph. 

    The former Indian skipper added that the BCCI will have to dig deep to carve out a window in the busy international calendar to find slots for the remaining 31 matches in this year’s IPL. Ganguly also hinted that the board will soon communicate with other cricket bodies to find a possible window in 2021. 

    He made it clear that the suspension of this year’s IPL will not be a blow to the world’s richest T20 league. 

    “I wouldn’t say it is a blow. Don’t forget last year we had no Wimbledon or Olympics. These are extraordinary times and we have to take it in our stride and move on. We can’t do much in these situations. Perhaps we have to only wait for things to improve,” asserted Ganguly. 

    As for whether the current situation puts the status of the ICC T20 World Cup in jeopardy, Ganguly suggested that assuming anything right now won’t be right. 

    “Let’s see what happens to the World T20. There’s still some time left and we don’t know how things will pan out a month later. Can’t comment right now. But let’s not assume things,” said the Dada of Indian cricket. 

    Ganguly added that the BCCI is doing whatever it can to expedite foreign cricketers safe departure from India. Eight English players and five South African players have already reached home. Due to the international travel restrictions, Australian players will initially travel to the Maldives. After 10 days of quarantine, they will fly to their homeland. 

  • From IPL to Euro 2020: 5 major sports events suspended due to Covid

    From IPL to Euro 2020: 5 major sports events suspended due to Covid

    KERALA: When the first positive case of coronavirus infection was reported in Wuhan, China in late 2019, no medical expert in the world thought that this infectious disease will emerge as a global pandemic. And now, when the second wave of Covid2019 is wreaking havoc in several countries like India, difficult decisions have been made even in the world of sports. Several major sporting events have been cancelled or postponed due to the pandemic, and the recent addition to this list is the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021. 

    Indiantelevision.com presents to you a list of five major sporting events that were called off or rescheduled due to Coronavirus scare. 

    Indian Premier League 2021

    It was on 9 April that the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 began in an empty gallery without any spectators. The decision to host the tournament had been met with criticism from certain corners, as it came at a time when India is battling the second wave of Covid. 

    However, the ongoing season of the IPL was postponed less than a month after its grand opening due to the bio-secure bubble being invaded by the coronavirus. Within the last few days, two players of Kolkata Knight Riders, two Chennai Super Kings coaches and one player each from Sunrisers Hyderabad and Delhi Capitals tested Covid positive. 

    “The Indian Premier League Governing Council and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in an emergency meeting has unanimously decided to postpone IPL 2021 season, with immediate effect. The BCCI does not want to compromise on the safety of the players, support staff, and the other participants involved in organising the IPL. This decision was taken keeping the safety, health, and well-being of all the stakeholders in mind,” said the BCCI, after suspending the ongoing event. 

    BCCI also added that the league will be rescheduled to another date this year. However, it is still unclear whether the event will be played in India or another country. Last year, due to the raging pandemic, the IPL took place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) September onwards. 

    Tokyo Olympics 2020

    The 2020 Summer Olympics and Paralympics were scheduled to take place in Tokyo, beginning 24 July 2020. However, due to the Covid2019 outbreak, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) was compelled to postpone the event. The decision to call off the feted event for a year was made when countries like Canada, Australia, and Great Britain announced that they would withdraw from the Olympics unless the event was postponed. 

    According to the latest updates, the IOC plans to host the opening ceremony on 23 July 2021. On 20 March, citing travel restrictions and the safety of athletes, it was announced that there will be no spectators for the upcoming Olympics. However, it is still unclear whether the event will actually take place, considering the second wave of the virus currently holding sway in several countries. 

    UEFA Euro 2020 and dilemma surrounding Copa America

    The UEFA Euro 2020 championship was originally scheduled to take place from 12 June to 12 July 2020. However, the pandemic turned things upside down, and the tournament was rescheduled to take place a year later, from 11 June to 11 July 2021.

    The South American Football Federation’s well-laid plans to host the Copa America 2020 from 12 June to 12 July 2020 were also dashed because of Covid, and the organisers were forced to postpone it to 2021. 

    Copa America will now take place in Colombia and Argentina from 13 June to 10 July 2021. However, several industry experts believe that the tournament may not go as per plans, especially considering the rapid surge of Covid cases in countries like Brazil. 

    Hero I-league 2020-2021

    When it comes to football in India, the Indian Super League (ISL) 2021 matches were conducted in an empty stadium in Goa. 

    However, organisers were compelled to postpone the I-League midway with 23 matches left. They had no choice but to declare Mohun Bagan as the champions of the season, as the second-placed team could not catch up even if all 20 games were played. 

    Wimbledon 2020

    One of the Tennis Grand Slams, Wimbledon 2020 was also postponed due to the coronavirus scare. This was the first time the championship, held every year in England, was deferred since World War II. As the 2020 tournament did not go as per plans, organisers have decided to host the tournament from 28 June to 11 July 2021. 

  • IPL 2021: KKR v RCB match postponed as players test Covid positive

    IPL 2021: KKR v RCB match postponed as players test Covid positive

    MUMBAI: The IPL match between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) that was scheduled to be played on3 May has been postponed, as two KKR players have tested positive for Covid2019. 

    KKR’s Varun Chakaravarthy and Sandeep Warrier, who tested Covid positive, have isolated themselves from the rest of the squad. All other team members have tested negative for Covid2019. 

    According to a statement issued by the BCCI, a medical team is in continuous touch with the duo to monitor their health. The medical team is also tracking the close contacts of Chakravarthy and Warrier during the last 48 hours. 

    “Varun and Sandeep tested positive and that made the RCB camp wary of the situation. The game is set to be postponed,” an IPL official told ANI. 

    However, an official confirmation from BCCI is awaited regarding the postponement of the match. 

    The 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League, touted to be the richest T20 cricket league in the world, has already crossed the halfway mark. The tournament is being played in a bio bubble owing to the second wave of Covid infections tearing through the country. With six wins and two losses, Delhi Capitals is currently at the top of the points table, followed by Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore. 

  • Amid brickbats, Rajasthan Royals & Delhi Capitals extend help in fight against Covid

    Amid brickbats, Rajasthan Royals & Delhi Capitals extend help in fight against Covid

    MUMBAI: The fourteenth edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), taking place amid a raging pandemic, has been met with severe criticism from several quarters for being “tone deaf’ to the situation in the country. With the tournament now progressing into its second leg, matches are being staged in Ahmedabad and Delhi, where the prevailing Covid2019 crisis is at its peak right now.

    Many global observers have also censured the cash-rich league, stating that “the country’s sole focus” should be on subduing the virus and not on a game of cricket. On the other hand, there are voices which feel that perhaps the game offers some respite to a nation ravaged by the second wave of the viral onslaught.

    While opinions continue to differ on whether it is appropriate to conduct the matches at such a time, IPL franchises Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Delhi Capitals (DC) have stepped forward to do their bit by aiding Covid relief efforts.

    RR has announced a contribution of Rs 7.5 crores to help India fight the second wave of Covid2019 while DC has pledged Rs 1.5 crore to the national capital in Covid aid. Both teams took to social media to share the news.

    The owners and team management of RR have pooled this amount to support the people impacted by the massive surge in cases. 

    “Players along with the team owners and team management have come forward to raise funds and have been working along with the Rajasthan Royals’ philanthropic arm Royal Rajasthan Foundation (RRF) in partnership with the British Asian Trust (BAT),” said the official statement on the team’s webpage.

    “BAT works closely with the Indian government on many initiatives – especially in the area of skills and education. The Trust’s founder, Prince Charles, launched an emergency “Oxygen for India” appeal, which is currently focused on acquisition and distribution of oxygen concentrators, devices that can provide the enriched gas straight from the air, to treat patients when hospital supplies are under strain,” it detailed.

    Also, “The funds raised by Rajasthan Royals will help pan India, with an initial focus on the state of Rajasthan, where the RRF, chaired by Ranjit Barthakur, has numerous initiatives it continues to support.”

    It added further that “Having the team owners and its players come together has enabled this initiative to reach the scale it has, providing aid to tackle the current crisis and help people get the single most pressing necessity at this time – oxygen.” 

    Meanwhile, the Delhi Capitals have donated monetary aid to non-profits in support of the city’s fight against the Covid crisis. The team stated that the amount will be used to procure essential medical supplies, ranging from oxygen cylinders and concentrators to Covid wellness kits.

    “Together, the franchise and its patrons, the JSW Foundation & GMR Varalakshmi Foundation are offering financial support amounting to Rs 1.5 crore to NCR based NGOs the Hemkunt Foundation and the Uday Foundation,” the IPL franchise said in a statement.

    “In this hour of crisis, DC stands in solidarity with the citizens of Delhi, whose efforts to selflessly help each other in the fight against Covid2019 have been inspiring. We are honoured to extend our support,” said Delhi Capitals interim CEO Vinod Bisht.

    The capital city has been one of the worst affected in the country in the second wave of infections. Many hospitals have also been struggling to maintain adequate stock of medical oxygen. As hospitals across the country grapple with an influx of critically ill Covid2019 patients, the demand for medical oxygen has increased by 67 per cent in the last nine days, according to the ministry of health and family welfare.