IPL 2018

Mumbai Indians object to change in IPL match timings

by Aayush Puthran • Last updated on

"You are impacting the revenue," Ambani said on the proposed change of match timings. © BCCI

Akash Ambani, Mumbai Indians' co-owner, has expressed his franchises' reservations with the change in timings for the upcoming season of the IPL. Ambani said the newly proposed timings by host broadcasters Star Sports will affect the revenue and viewership of the game.

Star, which won the broadcast rights for the IPL, has proposed a change in timings, wanting the evening games to be advanced to 7pm, while have the first games of double headers to start at 5:30pm. Earlier, the afternoon games started at 4pm while the evening games started at 8pm. The IPL GC had considered the request of the broadcasters in its latest meeting but didn't get adequate support on the same by the team owners.

As a result of the proposal, the two matches are expected to overlap during double headers. Explaining the issue with the change in timings, Ambani said, "For us it is tough. Because people of Bombay work till 6:30-7. It's going to be impossible making for a game at 7'o clock. You are impacting the revenue. You are impacting the audience coming there. So we are objecting to that."

The members of the IPL governing council and the host broadcasters met on Friday to discuss the issue. Rajiv Shukla, chairman of the IPL governing council, said that "a final decision on the same will be taken soon" after due consideration from all parties.

© Cricbuzz

TAGS