IPL owners discuss staging games behind closed doors

Manoj Badale

The owners of Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises have discussed the possibility of staging games behind closed doors this year, according to Manoj Badale.

The 13th edition of the world’s premier Twenty20 competition was due to begin this week but it was postponed until April 15 at the earliest due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Badale, one of the co-owners of Rajasthan Royals, revealed one of the mooted options has been contesting fixtures without fans present, which he feels may be a necessary evil.

“As with the English Premier League, the atmosphere is a huge part of the spectacle, but again, these are unprecedented times and sport needs to be put in the right perspective overall. If the way of ensuring the cricket economy survives is by playing behind closed doors, so be it.”

While staging the IPL in the coming weeks would seem unfathomable to many in Europe, Badale said there is still a belief the tournament could be held in two months’ time.

As with the English Premier League, the atmosphere is a huge part of the spectacle, but again, these are unprecedented times and sport needs to be put in the right perspective overall

“In India the COVID phenomenon has only really just landed so when we have our owners’ conference calls, there’s still an expectation that there may be a way of the games being played in June,” he added. 

(Agencies)