Dream11 IPL 2020, the bubble game.

Greater the set-back, stronger the come-back.

Along with chasing the target runs, another challenge to the players for the upcoming season of IPL is to fight the ongoing pandemic. Keeping the guidelines in mind, the spectators are not allowed to visit the stadium. Commencing from 19th Sept’20 in UAE, all the cricketers will definitely miss the energy in the stands.

Former India pacer Ajit Agarkar feels, “It will be odd initially to play in empty stadiums as in India the crowd can act as a 12th man for the home team.”

Empty stands
Picture courtesy : Twitter/@iplt20

As a surprise, the franchise officials have decided to flash a pre-recorded video of the audience cheering in the stadium. This will be done so after every boundary is scored and a wicket is lost.

“The stadiums will be empty as everyone is looking to ensure that health protocols and bio-bubble regulations are strictly followed. So, it was decided that while some teams will record the reactions of cheerleaders, which will be played out for every four, six or wicket, other teams have decided to create small videos of fans cheering for them and those will be played out while the cricketers are battling it out in the middle,” the official said to a reporter from ANI.

Nevertheless, the excitement shall keep rising indoors too. Listening to the IPL 2020 Rap/Theme song “Aayenge hum wapas” (We will return) makes an attempt to pump up the energy in all houses which will soon turn into stadiums. The song was sung by rapper KR$NA (real name Krishna Kaul) and composed by Pranav Ajayrao Malpe. It will be inspiring to watch how the players as well as the audience cope up with the new normal.

While the sportsmen have been training rigorously ahead of the 13th edition, the Abu Dhabi Sports Council is working to keep things safe for the teams.

Venue manager Navdeep Arneja stated, “We have created two ovals for both the teams to practice simultaneously. No one from outside will be allowed to go inside and we will ensure that we are in a bubble environment.”

Sanitizing the ground for safety of the players and ground staff is the primary concern
Picture courtesy : Twitter/@AbuDhabiCricket

Due to rapid spread of coronavirus, it is made mandatory for all players and staff to undergo a six-day quarantine after reaching UAE. This ensures safety of other players. As per UAE government, players from all countries also need to furnish a COVID-19 negative certificates.

However, cricketers from England and Austraila are exempted from quarantining because they’re already in a bio-bubble from 4th September. They shall reach UAE via a charter plane on 17th September making them available for the opening matches of their respective teams.

“It is very clear from BCCI SOP that each and every player has to go through quarantine (in UAE). However, the players from England and Australia would already be in a bio-bubble as they would be playing the series there. If they continue to remain in that bio-bubble and we can send a charter plane then they are as secure as other players” explained Sanjeev Churiwala, Chairman of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).

Virat kohli addressing his team Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on a virtual meet.
Picture courtesy : Twitter/@Royal Challengers Bangalore

Playing in front of the home crowd has always been special for it is a moment of pride and enthusiasm. Sadly, this year the matches in the league stage will not be played in the round-robin format because the hosts, I.e. UAE has made only three stadiums functional.

For the league stage, 24 matches will played at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai, 20 matches in the Sheikh Zayed Stadium at Abu Dhabi, and the remaining 12 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium located in Sharjah.

The opening match of this IPL season will take place in Abu Dhabi where the defending champions Mumbai Indians will face the runners-up of IPL 2019 Chennai Super Kings.

The action will then shift to Dubai on 20th September where Delhi Capitals will play against Kings Xl Punjab followed by the third match on 21st Sept between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bangalore at the same venue.

Sharjah will host its first Dream11 IPL 2020 match on 22nd September when Rajasthan Royals will play against Chennai Super Kings.

There will be 10 double-headers, with the first match at 3:30pm (IST) and the second match starting at 7:30 pm (IST) in all cases. The finals are expected to be on 10th November. The venue for the same will be announced in the upcoming weeks. Here is the complete fixture for Dreams11 IPL 2020:

Dream11 IPL 2020 Schedule Part 1
Picture courtesy : IPLT20 official website

The Women’s IPL is set to take place between 1st November and 10th November. Due to overlapping with the Big Bash League, the squads, schedule and venue is yet to be announced for WIPL 2020.

Right from the virtual welcome meets, to social distancing norms to being secured in a bio-bubble environment, all the IPL teams are set to begin the chase. Are you too?

Dream11 – fulfilling dreams of the IPL 2020

Dream 11 bags Title sponsorship for IPL 2020!

Indian Premier League being the biggest cricket premier league around the world, catches attention of all the entertainment broadcasters and brands for marketing. Consecutively, audience show eagerness to know the sponsors and partners of IPL 2020.

Picture courtesy : Deccan Herald

After the outbreak of novel coronavirus and anti-China sentiments prevailed in India, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) suspended the title sponsorship of IPL 2020 from the Chinese tech-giant VIVO. After this, it became very difficult for sponsors to come on board majorly because there shall be no spectators on the stands so no revenue will be generated from tickets sales.

Fantasy gaming platform Dream11 is the proud title sponsor for the IPL this season. Dream11 (Sports Technologies Pvt. Ltd.) is an Indian company with its headquarters in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

Journey of Dream11

Picture courtesy : News18

Why VIVO is not a tittle sponsor of IPL 2020?

Vivo Communication Technology Pvt. Ltd. popularly known as Vivo is a Chinese company that designs and develops smartphones, smartphone accessories, and online services. Vivo had signed a five year deal (2018-2022) with IPL of Rs.440 crore per year.

Due to Galwan stand–off between Indian and Chinese troops, Indian Government decided to ban many Chinese manufacturing products and to promote local, Indian products in the market. This led BCCI take away the sponsorship rights from Vivo this year. Another reason is the economic crisis caused by the havoc of Covid–19 pandemic, leading Vivo to negotiate the sponsoring amount with the BCCI.

However, BCCI was confident to have another title sponsor on board for this year’s IPL edition.

“Suspension of IPL title sponsorship with VIVO just a blip, not a financial crisis.” – Sourav Ganguly, BCCI President

Sourav Ganguly in one of the board meetings.

Picture courtesy: The Week

Before finalizing Dream11, some of the Indian contenders for the title sponsorship of IPL 2020 were:

• Patanjali – Our very own Yoga guru, social activist and business tycoon Baba Ramdev’s Patanjali is one of the Indian brands which earlier showed keen interest in sponsoring the IPL 2020.

“We are considering the IPL title sponsorship for this year since we want to give the Patanjali brand a global marketing platform.” a spokesperson, Patanjali

• Unacademy – The online education technology company Unacademy was also looking for the title sponsorship rights of IPL 2020. The company has 100% Indian investment and is already a part of the official partners line-up of IPL.

• Amazon – Amazon is one of the biggest e-commerce giants in the world, as well as in India. Amazon’s aim was not publicity but the need to be in competition with its rivals ranging from Flipkart to Jio in the Indian market.

• Paytm – The digital wallet service provider Paytm is also a part of the official sponsor panel of IPL. They were planning to get onboard as a title sponsor of IPL this year.

Contenders for sponsorship title for IPL 2020.

Picture courtesy : The Week

Owners and Sponsors of IPL teams:

• Delhi Capitals (DC) – Delhi Capital is owned by GM Rao-owned GMR Group. The team’s principal sponsors include JSW Groups, Ebix Cash and Lotus Herbals.

• Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) – Under the banner of ‘KPH Dream Cricket Private Limited’, the franchise is jointly owned by Bollywood actress Priety Zinta, Ness Wadia (Wadia Group), Mohit Burman (Dabur India Ltd.), The Oberoi Group and Karan Paul (Apeejay Surrendra Group).The title sponsor of Kings XI Punjab is Ebix Cash.

• Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) – The two-time champions team KKR is owned by Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan (under the banner Red Chillies Entertainment) and Bollywood actress Juhi Chawla & her husband Jay Mehta (under the banner of Mehta Group). The principal sponsor of KKR is Mobile Premier League (MPL).

• Rajasthan Royals (RR) – Winners of the inaugural season in 2008, the Royals are jointly owned by Amisha Hathiramani, Manoj Badale, Lachlan Murdoch, Ryan Tkalcevic and Australian cricketer
Shane Warne who was also a part of the RR squad in the first few years of the IPL. Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty Kundra owned RR with her husband Raj Kundra from 2009 to 2015. Raj was banned in 2015 by the Supreme Court of Indian after spot-fixing case in a match against Chennai Super Kings. Rajasthan Royals’ kit manufacturers and other sponsors are Alcis Sports, TV9 Bharatvarsh and a sanitary napkins brand by the name of Niine.

Picture courtesy : Amar Ujala

• Mumbai Indians (MI) – Mumbai Indians, 4 time title winners, is owned by India’s biggest conglomerate Reliance Industries of business tycoon Mukesh Ambani. The team is managed by his wife Neeta Ambani. Mumbai Indian’s principal sponsors are Samsung and Colors.

• Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) – The team is owned by media baron Kalanithi Maran of the Sun TV Network. With JK Laxmi Cement as the title sponsor, Sunrisers Hyderabad’s principal sponsors are Ralco Typres, Jio, TCL, Valvoline, Dream11 and Nerolac.

• Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) – Bought by Vijay Mallya in 2008, RCB is now solely owned by Indian alcoholic beverage company United Spirits and is named under its brand Royal Challenge. RCB’s principal sponsor is Muthoot Fincorp.

• Chennai Super Kings (CSK) – The 3-time Champions team was initially owned by former BCCI president N. Srinivasan by means of his position as vice-chairman and managing director of India Cements Ltd. In January ’15, the Supreme Court of India made an amendment in the BCCI’s constitutional clause which disallows board officials to have commercial interests in IPL and Champions League T20. After which, the franchise is now completely owned by a separate company known as Chennai Super Kings Cricket Ltd. CSK’s principal sponsors for this year are Muthoot Group of Finance, India Cements, Gulf Oil, Nippon Paint, Clear Anti-dandruff shampoo and Jio Digital Life.

Suresh Raina from Chennai Super Kings playing against Delhi Capitals in a match from Vivo IPL 2019

Picture courtesy : Instagram/@iplt20

IPL is one of the biggest cricket league in the world and it is every company’s dream to invest in it. This time due to the suspension of Vivo as the title sponsor, Dream11 has taken a surprise entry to become the new title sponsor of IPL 2020. We are all curious to know if Vivo will make a comeback next year or Dream11 will continue its dream sponsorship rights or we will have a new partner on board. But for now, let’s catch up with all the cricketing action starting in about a week!

Stay tuned for all the fun!

Indian Premier League 2020, but in UAE? 😳

Dream11 IPL 2020 is back in action, but at what cost?

The Dream11 Indian Premier League’s (IPL) 13th edition is witnessing the most enthusiasm and excitement amongst the players and viewers from all over the world. The change in location from India to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is quite upsetting for the Indian audience. Nevertheless, the passion for cricket has always been never-dying!

Dream11 Title Sponsor of IPL 2020.

Picture courtesy : Dream11 on Instagram

There are a total of eight teams playing for the 13th edition of IPL. The franchisees with their respective captains are:

1. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) playing under India’s former captain, captain cool M.S. Dhoni.
2. Delhi Capitals (DC) under the captaincy of Shreyas Iyer, the youngest captain this season.
3. Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) under debut captain KL Rahul.
4. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) shining under Dinesh Kartik
5. Mumbai Indians (MI) led by India’s stand-in captain, Rohit Sharma.
6. Rajasthan Royals (RR) under the captaincy of Australia’s greatest, Steve Smith
7. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) head by India’s current skipper, Virat Kohli
8. Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) under another Australia’s greatest player, David Warner.

All Skipper’s Of Dream11 IPL 2020
Picture courtesy : sportsmonks.com/

Mumbai Indians, the defending champions who claimed the Vivo IPL 2019 title lift the trophy 4th time in the last season. They will face the runners-up Chennai Super Kings for the inaugural match on 19th September which is to be played at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Dhoni’s yellow army has won the title three times and have come 2nd for five times since the inception of IPL in 2008.

As per statistics report of the Times of India, CSK has the highest winning percentage of 60.61. Just after them is Mumbai Indians, with 57.22% winning ratio. Delhi Captials stands the lowest chance with the winning ratio of 42.7%.

With too many changes in the squad, KXIP is unlikely to perform well in the tournament. However, when IPL took place in UAE in 2014, although partially (due to General Elections in India), Kings XI were runners-up. We never know if they might get lucky this season but Brad Hogg isn’t on the same page.

“They are too much up and down. That’s why Kings XI are going to finish last,” Hogg feels.

KXIP who are yet to get their hands on the coveted trophy, got off to a great start in the past two seasons under the captaincy of Ravichandran Ashwin. With KL Rahul leading the side this season, it’s yet another change which may or may not work in their favour.

Speaking of champions and runner ups, the current Indian skipper’s team RCB has been always been at the loosing end too. They usually finish in 2nd half I’d the points table. They’ve never lifted the trophy but have been runners-up twice.

Needless to say, the ongoing pandemic has played a huge role. The upcoming season will prove to be a challenge for everyone right from players to ground staff and from journalists to viewers as well.

Here are some drastic changes that we shall witness:

1. Empty stands

It’ll be a totally different experience for players with no spectators in the stands. The constant hooting, cheering, display of placards & banners by the sightseers add to the fabulous ambience of the stadium. It will be disheartening not just for the players but the audience as well. Truly the new normal, the one we don’t approve of!

Sharjah Cricket Stadium, UAE to host 12 league matches of Dream11 IPL 2020
Picture courtesy : Twitter/@sharjahstadium

Economically too, this idea doesn’t sound good! No spectators means no revenue generated by ticket sales. This may burn a huge hole in the sponsors’ pockets.

2. Concussion substitutes

For the first time in the history of IPL, we shall see concussion substitutes meaning; replacement of an injured or ill player from the team.

Another sad news for the audience is that since the nation-wide lockdown in India, there has been no update on the All-Stars Match. In order to raise money for charity, BCCI had earlier announced to organize an All-Stars Match before the commencement of IPL’s 13th edition.

We haven’t decided the names of the teams for the All-Stars game but there will be a team of overseas players from the IPL. It will be an annual affair – BCCI President Sourav Ganguly said after the IPL Governing Council’s meeting on 27th January’20.

The competition was to be held between a team from South and West i.e. comprising players from Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Mumbai Indians (MI) versus another team from North and East which will include players from Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Rajasthan Royals (RR), Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) and Delhi Capitals (DC).

Keeping all worries at bay, the first match in the men’s league stage is between the Mumbai Indians and the Chennai Super Kings.

From left – Rohit Sharma, Captain of Mumbai Indians with M.S.Dhoni, Captain of Chennai Super Kings
Picture courtesy : Instagram/@TimesOfIndia

We are sure to see some action for the Women’s IPL too starting on 1st November. The players are gearing up. The audience, too, is eagerly waiting for this league to commence on such a high note. With just 10 days to go, our enthusiasm is sky high!

Let us know how excited you are in the comments below 😬