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XtraTime Web Desk: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and broadcasters Star India is trying to get the fans virtually connected with the players at the stadiums during the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2020). The broadcasters in particular are looking to follow what the Premier League did during the re-start after the forced break due to COVID-19. Although the Premier League matches were staged at empty stadiums, the fans could still be connected by the help of technology during the live games.

The broadcasters it is learnt is trying to mount LED walls in all the three venues – Dubai International Stadium, Sharjah Stadium and Sheikh Zayed Stadium. Both BCCI and Star is tightlipped about the plans.

Kolkata Knight Riders CEO Venky Mysore did share how the fans via technology will be able to log in real time and make an eye contact with their favorite players.

“I have been working very closely with the broadcasters, Star Sports, and I can tell you there are some unique ways of fan connect that have been planned. For example, one plan is to have a LED wall with fans represented there live via technology. So fans can see the players and more importantly, the player too can see the fans real time and make eye-contact with them.”, revealed KKR CEO, Venky Mysore to Gulf News.

According to the KKR CEO, this innovation will make fans stay connected with the games as if they are in the stadiums. And at the same time players will also feel their presence while playing.

Premier League used the live video feeds, each of which featured 16 supporters from each club, and this feed was made available to the broadcasters and to clubs for use on big screens during matches.
Star India Chairman Uday Shankar also dropped a hint recently that they are working on various modules to connect the fans to the stadiums, capturing their reactions and actions during the live IPL games.