We might see 30% people in the stands very soon: Sourav Ganguly

BCCI president Sourav Ganguly stated yesterday that there is a possibility of opening the doors for the crowd to flock into the stadiums and occupy 30% of the stands at the most during the latter stages of this year’s Indian Premier League after being thoroughly tested.

Ganguly said, “Because of the COVID and infection, you don’t want people to be too close to each other, but very soon you will see there will be 30 percent people in the ground with social distancing. They are properly tested and allowed to enter the ground.

“But I think that is going to happen over a period of time. It is actually an effort to bring life back to normal. This will go on for another five-six months till the vaccine comes and I am sure everything then will be back to normal.”

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The ODI series between Australia and New Zealand earlier this year was the first to be played behind closed doors

The former Indian captain also talked about how Star Sports India, the broadcasters of the tournament, are expecting their highest rating for this edition. Star Sports acquired five years of broadcasting rights for the IPL with a bid of INR 16,347 crore.

Crowds will watch it on television… They (broadcasters) are actually expecting the highest rating of IPL this season because they believe if (fans) don’t turn up in the ground, they will be actually watching on their television sets.”

Ganguly also gave a message of assurance on COVID-19, stating that the virus is a mere bump for mankind. He said, “This is just a virus which is already weakening and we will hopefully get past it. These are small bumps in our life, and we have to get past it. We could have easily avoided the IPL…but then, that’s what we humans are and that’s why we have survived all the difficult times.

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“There have been wars, which people have come out from, there have been other bugs which people have come out from over the years. It is only because mankind, people like you and me, and all of us in this discussion have the mental mindset to say ‘hey listen if people are pushing us to the wall, we will find a way back and get life normal’. I think that is important.”