Madan Lal Highlights Importance Of Fans In IPL

IPL has attracted big crowd over the years. The spectators are the 12th man of a team and their support lifts up the morale of a franchise. At times, they can also be harsh on away team, but it makes a contest all the more interesting to watch as players’ need to keep their nerves.

In the IPL, the home and away format, also plays a crucial. It is not just due to the pitch and playing conditions but also due to the fans backing a franchise can get.

Madan Lal feels BCCI can take decision once situation improves

IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla has asserted IPL 2020 will not get underway from April 15 due to the possible extension in lockdown. The toll in the sub-continent due to the novel coronavirus has also increased significantly with Shukla suggesting that people’s life should be the primary concern.

Former India cricketer Madan Lal also echoed his sentiments and said the board should take decision only when situation gets back to normal and season resumes. He also added, no one wants to take risk at the moment.

“IPL is a big brand. But the board can only take a decision once the situation improves and coronavirus is gone. At the moment, it’s on upstage. So, no one is going to take a risk,” Lal told IANS.

“Once coronavirus is gone, cricket can obviously take place because it’s such a popular sport and is loved by all. Even the players would like to play in front of crowds and that can only happen once the situation fully improves,” he added.

No point of playing IPL in empty stands: Madan Lal

BCCI is mulling the possibility of hosting IPL in July behind closed doors. The board is following the wait and watch policy, and have also kept the October-November slot open. But Madan Lal believes there is no point of playing the tournament behind closed doors.

“There’s no point in playing IPL matches in front of empty stands. It’s not just about the players and the fans, it’s about other people who are also involved in the process while travelling, organising, broadcasting, etc,” Lal, who was part of the 1983 World Cup-winning team, said.

“Once situation improves, other series will also take place and BCCI can totally recover for the lost time.”

However, as things stand, it looks IPL will stand cancelled in due course of time.