Indian Premier League's success was in doubt before the tournament began. Many felt that coronavirus pandemic and no crowd will leave a major dent on the league's viewership. But the story has been otherwise as the just-concluded IPL witnessed a record-breaking 28 per cent increase in viewership compared to the last edition.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/change-overseas-players-limit-to-5-bcci-official-suggests-changes-for-10-team-ipl-2021-342915" hreflang="en">Change overseas players' limit to 5: BCCI official suggests changes for 10-team IPL 2021</a>

The 13th edition of the T20 tournament was delayed due to the pandemic and was shifted to UAE, where the league took place between September and November. The tournament was played behind closed doors as a safety measure due to the outbreak of the virus.&nbsp;

The organisers found it challenging to conduct the tournament keeping health and safety of players in the top. Players were placed in bio-bubbles for weeks.&nbsp;

IPL chairman Brijesh Patel said, "IPL has always endeavoured to provide a world-class sports event for its fans."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ipl-2021-i-feel-that-ms-dhoni-may-not-be-the-captain-next-year-sanjay-bangar-342877" hreflang="en">IPL 2021: 'I feel that MS Dhoni may not be the captain next year'- Sanjay Bangar</a>

Patel went on to thank Dream11 (title sponsor), who came in the very last moment as BCCI decided to part ways with Chinese company VIVO.&nbsp;

"With Dream11 coming on board as the title sponsor for IPL 2020, we are happy to see a digital sports brand like Dream11 increasing fan engagement through fantasy sport."

"It’s equally heartening to see how Dream11 has integrated its users in all Dream11 IPL match activations. The match countdown, Dream11 Champion Fans wall and the virtual guest box have all been brought about to bring the fans to the forefront," he added.

Teams like Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals launched several initiatives online to connect with fans because of pandemic measures in place. Mumbai launched MI Live" and "Paltan Play" and Rajasthan Royals ran a community-based programme called "Super Royals".

Mumbai Indians were the champions of IPL 2020, after beating Delhi Capitals in the finals last Tuesday. Mumbai extended their record by winning the Indian Premier League title for the fifth time. They also became the second team in IPL history to successfully defend their trophy.&nbsp;

Indian Premier League's success was in doubt before the tournament began. Many felt that coronavirus pandemic and no crowd will leave a major dent on the league's viewership.

Indian Premier League's success was in doubt before the tournament began. Many felt that coronavirus pandemic and no crowd will leave a major dent on the league's viewership. But the story has been otherwise as the just-concluded IPL witnessed a record-breaking 28 per cent increase in viewership compared to the last edition. Also read: Change overseas players' limit to 5: BCCI official suggests changes for 10-team IPL 2021 The 13th edition of the T20 tournament was delayed due to the pandemic and was shifted to UAE, where the league took place between September and November. The tournament was played behind closed doors as a safety measure due to the outbreak of the virus. The organisers found it challenging to conduct the tournament keeping health and safety of players in the top. Players were placed in bio-bubbles for weeks. IPL chairman Brijesh Patel said, "IPL has always endeavoured to provide a world-class sports event for its fans." Also read: IPL 2021: 'I feel that MS Dhoni may not be the captain next year'- Sanjay Bangar Patel went on to thank Dream11 (title sponsor), who came in the very last moment as BCCI decided to part ways with Chinese company VIVO. "With Dream11 coming on board as the title sponsor for IPL 2020, we are happy to see a digital sports brand like Dream11 increasing fan engagement through fantasy sport." "It’s equally heartening to see how Dream11 has integrated its users in all Dream11 IPL match activations. The match countdown, Dream11 Champion Fans wall and the virtual guest box have all been brought about to bring the fans to the forefront," he added. Teams like Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals launched several initiatives online to connect with fans because of pandemic measures in place. Mumbai launched MI Live" and "Paltan Play" and Rajasthan Royals ran a community-based programme called "Super Royals". Mumbai Indians were the champions of IPL 2020, after beating Delhi Capitals in the finals last Tuesday. Mumbai extended their record by winning the Indian Premier League title for the fifth time. They also became the second team in IPL history to successfully defend their trophy.

IPL 2020 witnessed record-breaking surge in viewership

After the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/mens-t20-world-cup-2020-postponed-due-to-coronavirus-pandemic-icc-314722">official postponement of the T20 World Cup 2020</a>, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/ipl">IPL</a> Governing Council is set to meet in a week or 10 days’ time to chalk out the plan for the next course of action with the eye firmly locked at the UAE as hosts this year.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/mens-t20-world-cup-2020-postponed-due-to-coronavirus-pandemic-icc-314722">The decision by ICC to postpone the T20 World Cup</a> has cleared a window for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/ipl">IPL 2020</a> between September and early November. The showpiece event, scheduled to be held in Australia in October-November was postponed on Monday due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The IPL GC will meet within a week or 10 days and all decisions (including final schedule) will be taken there. As of now, the plan is to have a full-fledged IPL comprising 60 games and most likely in the UAE," Patel told PTI. 
Patel further said that the operational side of the tournament is going to be a challenge.

"Just the operational side of it. Whether you do it here or outside, it doesn't matter (with no crowds)."

While the franchises had already been working on their plans for the IPL even before the ICC announcement, the majority of players don’t have access to grounds amid the pandemic and will need at least three to four weeks to reach optimum match fitness.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ipl-bcci-asked-to-pay-640-million-usd-for-wrongfully-terminating-deccan-chargers-314048" hreflang="en">IPL: BCCI asked to pay 640 million USD for 'wrongfully terminating' Deccan Chargers</a>

Foreign players will fly in directly to the UAE from their respective countries.

"Our players will need at least three to four weeks of training, if not more. We will finalise all our plans once the BCCI announces the dates. It looks like the IPL will be in the UAE and we are ready for that," a team owner told PTI.

Whereas with the Test series against Australia approaching, specialists Cheteshwar Pujara and Hanuma Vihari, who are not part of the IPL, are likely to train for the much-talked-about series at the Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/t20-world-cup-2020-postponement-was-inevitable-say-australia-314869" hreflang="en">T20 World Cup 2020 postponement was 'inevitable', say Australia</a>

<h2>More moot points and questions ahead of the IPL GC meeting:</h2>

1) More double headers expected (original schedule had only five double headers).

2) BCCI will need to provide a Standard Operating Procedure to IPL teams even though they will have their own SOPs in place.

3) Will the BCCI compensate teams for not being able to generate gate money this year?

4) Will there be virtual commentary from Star Sports? It was seen in the recent 3TC event in South Africa with the likes of Aakash Chopra, Deep Dasgupta and Irfan Pathan commentating from home.

(With inputs from PTI) 
&nbsp;

After the official postponement of the T20 World Cup 2020, IPL Governing Council is set to meet in a week or 10 days’ time to chalk out the plan for the next course of action with the eye firmly locked at the UAE as hosts this year.

After the official postponement of the T20 World Cup 2020, IPL Governing Council is set to meet in a week or 10 days’ time to chalk out the plan for the next course of action with the eye firmly locked at the UAE as hosts this year. The decision by ICC to postpone the T20 World Cup has cleared a window for IPL 2020 between September and early November. The showpiece event, scheduled to be held in Australia in October-November was postponed on Monday due to the COVID-19 pandemic. "The IPL GC will meet within a week or 10 days and all decisions (including final schedule) will be taken there. As of now, the plan is to have a full-fledged IPL comprising 60 games and most likely in the UAE," Patel told PTI. Patel further said that the operational side of the tournament is going to be a challenge. "Just the operational side of it. Whether you do it here or outside, it doesn't matter (with no crowds)." While the franchises had already been working on their plans for the IPL even before the ICC announcement, the majority of players don’t have access to grounds amid the pandemic and will need at least three to four weeks to reach optimum match fitness. ALSO READ: IPL: BCCI asked to pay 640 million USD for 'wrongfully terminating' Deccan Chargers Foreign players will fly in directly to the UAE from their respective countries. "Our players will need at least three to four weeks of training, if not more. We will finalise all our plans once the BCCI announces the dates. It looks like the IPL will be in the UAE and we are ready for that," a team owner told PTI. Whereas with the Test series against Australia approaching, specialists Cheteshwar Pujara and Hanuma Vihari, who are not part of the IPL, are likely to train for the much-talked-about series at the Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad. ALSO READ: T20 World Cup 2020 postponement was 'inevitable', say Australia More moot points and questions ahead of the IPL GC meeting: 1) More double headers expected (original schedule had only five double headers). 2) BCCI will need to provide a Standard Operating Procedure to IPL teams even though they will have their own SOPs in place. 3) Will the BCCI compensate teams for not being able to generate gate money this year? 4) Will there be virtual commentary from Star Sports? It was seen in the recent 3TC event in South Africa with the likes of Aakash Chopra, Deep Dasgupta and Irfan Pathan commentating from home. (With inputs from PTI)

Planning for full-fledged IPL 2020, most likely in the UAE: Brijesh Patel

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IPL 2020 witnessed record-breaking surge in viewership

Planning for full-fledged IPL 2020, most likely in the UAE: Brijesh Patel