Ganguly Expecting Record-Breaking IPL Viewers

BCCI chief anticipates huge numbers

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Sourav Ganguly says he is expecting this year’s Indian Premier League in the UAE to smash viewing records.

The IPL 2020 starts on September 19 and will see the tournament take part in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi after being moved to the UAE due to coronavirus troubles.

The move means more people will have to follow their favourite team from afar.

It is a move that BCCI president Ganguly thinks will see the tournament surpass previous viewing figures.

He said: “Crowds will watch it on television. 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.

“There is a positive in everything.”

IPL to Boost India Amid Covid-19 Problems

Ganguly also believes that holding the IPL can offer the nation a much-needed boost following the Coronavirus pandemic.

Asked how cricketers would feel about playing in empty stadiums in the UAE, Ganguly added: “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% 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.

“It is actually an effort to bring life back to normal. This will go on for another five-six months till the vaccine comes and I am sure everything then will be back to normal.

“This is just a virus which is already weakening and we will hopefully get past it. These are small bumps in our life, and we have to get past it.

“We could have easily avoided the IPL but then, that’s what we humans are and that’s why we have survived all the difficult times.

“There have been wars, which people have come out from, there have been other bugs which people have come out from over the years.”

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Chris is passionate about all forms of cricket and loves writing about the sport. He has a background in both sport and news journalism and has written cricket and other sports content for several years now. Chris has written about all levels of the game from regional club cricket in England to the international stage. He now brings that experience to the iGaming industry where he combines it with his love of betting. Chris loves to bet on many different sports, but particularly enjoys seeking out the best value bets on offer and passing that on through his coverage.