IPL 2020: Get ready for a desert storm as blockbuster clash

The Indian Premier League (IPL) will start today in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with the final slated on November 8. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will take on Mumbai Indians (MI) in the delayed tournament opener. The Indian Premier League (IPL)_ a franchise Twenty20 cricket tournament in which players from around the world compete in eight different teams_ was postponed in March because of coronavirus. After months of uncertainty_ it will now take place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) instead of India_ with the first game on September 19 in Abu Dhabi_ followed by other games in Dubai and Sharjah. This brings relief to cricket fans_ the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)_ team owners_ broadcasters and sponsors. The good news for cricket fans and fans of T20 franchise cricket in particular is that the 13th edition of the IPL_ albeit late_ is being played. The BCCI managed to shift the whole tournament to the UAE_ as the franchises were cocooned in their own bio-secure bubbles. For the first time only three venues will host as many as 60 IPL matches. Given the unprecedented nature of the global pandemic that brought sports across the world to a grinding halt earlier_ over 20_000 Covid-19 tests are being conducted as part of IPL 2020 in Dubai_ Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. For the fans who were starved of live cricket action_ the next 53 days will give them the adrenaline rush they were waiting for_ as their favourite franchise teams go toe to toe in the desert. No one perhaps can imagine the T20 extravaganza without the cheerleaders_ the fans with the placards of their favourite teams and players and with painted bodies. This time all that will be missing. But for TV audiences_ it's game on The total value of the tournament in 2019 was estimated at US$5.9 billion. If the 2020 tournament hadn t taken place_ it was estimated the BBCI could lose around US$680 million in revenue. The tournament has been to the UAE before. In 2014_ unable to host the IPL during India s general election_ the BCCI chose the UAE as the venue for the first 20 matches. The Gulf country was easily accessible from India_ offered excellent sporting and hospitality facilities_ and was also home to about 2.5 million Indians who would ensure the galleries were filled. In 2020_ with all Indian cities under lockdown and the BCCI determined to organise the IPL to keep the revenues flowing_ UAE stepped up as host again.