The Board of Control for Cricket in India also known as the BCCI is reportedly looking to conduct phase 2 of IPL 2021 with fans inside the stadiums.
The past two seasons of the IPL has been conducted behind closed doors due to the deadly virus. However, the Emirates Cricket Board, also known as the ECB will be looking forward to changing the scenario ahead of phase 2 of IPL 2021.
BCCI Treasurer, Arun Dhumal said, “We are working on that and we are hoping that the UAE government will allow the crowd this time since everyone is vaccinated there. Let’s see what happens. Hopefully, fans will be allowed but not at the cost of players’ or peoples’ safety — that is more important. Rest is on the UAE government to decide, Everybody is looking up to the IPL now; we believe it will be an exciting tournament in UAE. This would be the last season of IPL with eight teams. Most likely there will be 10 teams next time. We are working on that too.”
Reports suggest that the ECB will be allowing 60 per cent capacity inside the stadiums in phase 2 of IPL.
ECB general secretary, Mubashir Usmani said that the ECB will be conducting discussions with the BCCI and the UAE government in order to allow fans inside the stadiums for the remainder of the tournament.
Phase 2 of IPL 2021 is set to begin from 19th September in the UAE with Chennai Super Kings taking on Mumbai Indians in the first game of the rescheduled season. Delhi Capitals were the table toppers with 12 points in eight matches before the season was suspended indefinitely due to the outbreak of coronavirus in the bio-bubbles.