After Novak Djokovic tested positive for COVID-19, BCCI Treasurer Arun Dhumal had mixed feelings over the scheduling of the world’s biggest T20 league.
Dhumal told Indian Express, “After that report (about Djokovic testing positive) came in, we were in two minds. Many people told us to not go ahead with it (IPL). What if something happens to a player? The IPL would go on for almost three months. However, Jay said we should go ahead, he was more confident than all of us,”
The IPL was postponed from April-May to September because of the the outbreak of the coronavirus. The tournament was held in Dubai behind closed doors without fans.
Arun Dhumal also spoke about the staggering viewership numbers and the revenue that the IPL had gathered this year.
“The Board managed to cut nearly 35 per cent of the cost as compared to the last IPL. We earned Rs 4,000 crore during the pandemic time. Our TV viewership went about 25 per cent higher, we got the highest-ever opening game (Mumbai Indians versus Chennai Super Kings) viewership. Those who doubted us came and thanked us for hosting the IPL. Had this IPL not happened, cricketers would have lost one year,” said Dhumal.
