IPL 2018: Opening ceremony postponed due to budget cuts
The IPL is not just a cricket tournament, it is a fusion of the world of entertainment, glamour and sports. In the last edition, we saw several Bollywood stars dazzle at the multiple opening ceremonies. However, this year it would be different. The CoA has cut the opening ceremony's budget, thereby, forcing BCCI to postpone the opening ceremony by a day to April 7.
IPL's opening ceremony to be postponed by a day
The budget for the opening ceremony of IPL 2018 has been reduced by Rs. 20 cr which has now forced the BCCI to postpone the ceremony from April 6 to April 7. This has been done at the behest of the Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators. The venue, too, has been moved from the Cricket Club of India to Wankhede Stadium.
The opening ceremony budget cut by Rs. 20 crore
The earlier budget for the opening ceremony of the tournament was Rs. 50 crore which was even approved by IPL's Governing Council. However, the CoA decided to cut down the budget by Rs. 20 crore leaving them with a budget of only Rs. 30 cr.
Wankhede to host the 2018 IPL opening ceremony
The much-awaited 11th edition of the tournament is set to kick off from April 7 at the Wankhede stadium, with defending champions Mumbai Indians taking on the returning Chennai Super Kings. The budget restrictions now mean that the opening ceremony will now be held on the same day just before the start of this high octane curtain-raiser. Wankhede will now host the opening ceremony.
Opening ceremony shifted from CCI to Wankhede
"Earlier the opening ceremony was scheduled for April 6 at Cricket Club of India. Now it has been decided by the CoA that it will happen on April 7 at Wankhede before the 2018 IPL opener," a BCCI official was quoted by The Indian Express.
