Kings XI Punjab proposed playing Indian National Anthem before the start of every IPL game from the next edition. The co-owner of the franchise Ness Wadia has written to the BCCI insisting the same.

Wadia calls for National Anthem in IPL

Ness Wadia feels playing Indian National Anthem should be the norm in the world’s number one cricket league. He also appreciated the board’s move of scrapping an expensive opening ceremony. Wadia informed about this to PTI and said, “It is an excellent move. It is high time that we don’t have an opening ceremony. I have always wondered the value and necessity of hosting an opening ceremony. One thing which they (BCCI) should do is to have the national anthem before each game given that it is the Indian Premier League.”

He further added how had earlier written to the board and once again suggested the same to the new BCCI president, Sourav Ganguly. He referred about other games and said, “It is the Indian Premier League after all. We should be proud of what we have, which is a wonderful national anthem and a wonderful league. In NBA too, national anthem is played before every game.”

Wadia wants IPL friendlies abroad

Earlier this week, the IPL governing council discussed the multiple franchises wanting to play “friendlies abroad”. Commenting on the same Wadia opined, “The IPL is an Indian tournament. However, if one could look at expanding its reach, that will only be beneficial for all the stakeholders including the BCCI because it is also an international event.

Wadia gave an example of the top football leagues around the world and said, “It only improves the visibility, reach and eventually the value of the IPL. BCCI must consider it.” One of the high profile owners of the league then suggested “It would be nice to have the world’s number one cricketing league emulate what other sporting leagues have done.”