No cheerleaders, no fans: IPL pares down glitz for Covid eraThis fan in Chennai has a facemask decorated with pictures of Chennai Super Kings playersNEW DELHI - The much-delayed Indian Premier League starts Saturday without its customary glitz and glamour, but the Twenty20 tournament is expected to be a welcome relief to cricket fans during the coronavirus pandemic. - Coronavirus cases -To reduce the number of people in the grounds, there will be no dancing cheerleaders. The tournament has already been under scrutiny after two Chennai players tested positive for the coronavirus. The IPL is the most popular domestic league in the world but since its inception in 2008 has contended with corruption and match-fixing cases. A spot-fixing scandal in 2013 led to two teams -- Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals -- being suspended for two seasons.

Source: Bangkok Post September 17, 2020 02:37 UTC