XtraTime Web Desk: The coronavirus pandemic has suspended this year’s Indian Premier League Twenty20 tournament until further notice. There is a possibility that the cash rich league might not take place this year. If that happens then it will be the first time since its inaugural edition in 2008. As the future of IPL2020 looks uncertain, let us take a look at five most impactful incidents in the history of cash rich league.
Brendon McCullum sets the ball rolling
New Zealand’s Brendon McCullum lit up the IPL’s opening match with a scintillating 158 off 73 balls — an innings that set the tone for the league to become one of the most entertaining cricket competitions. The T20 league, a brainchild of Lalit Modi is a perfect mix of cricket and entertainment. Top Bollywood celebrities like Shah Rukh Khan, Preity Zinta, Hritthik Roshan, Juhi Chawla added to the razzmatazz.
Tournament shifting to South Africa
It was a bold decision by the IPL Governing Council to shift IPL 2009 to South Africa as the dates coincided with India’s parliamentary elections. It was a curtailed league for 37 days with a change in format. The franchises were divided in two groups unlike the home and away matches spread over a two months period. The rainbow nation pulled out all stops to host the popular league after pipping England as contenders. It was reported the IPL infused $100 million into the South African economy.
Spot fixing rocks the world
Corruption scandals have been a feature of the world’s richest cricket competition, which was rocked by spot-fixing in 2013 when police launched legal proceedings against several officials and three Rajasthan Royals players. Royals co-owner Raj Kundra and Gurunath Meiyappan, of the Chennai franchise, were banned for life from cricket-related activities. The Royals and Chennai Super Kings, led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni, were suspended for two years in 2015.
Star India clinching the broadcast rights
The IPL, known for its lucrative contracts for players, is a huge revenue earner for the BCCI. In 2017, Star India clinched the broadcast rights of the IPL by paying $2.5 billion for five years. Till now it is the biggest TV deal seen in cricket. In 2015, Chinese mobile phone manufacturers Vivo brought the title sponsorships by paying $330 million dollar from 2018-2022.
Coronavirus pandemic
The deadly coronavirus has brought the sports world to a grinding halt and IPL is no different. The league, which was scheduled to start on March 29, has been postponed indefinitely after the government extended the nationwide lockdown until at least May 3. Pressure has been mounting from foreign stars for the league to be played possibly later this year and even behind closed doors. But with India still grappling with the virus, there are doubts over whether the season will take place at all.