IPL 2026 will also be like Pakistan Super League! Demand to hold matches without spectators due to petrol-diesel crisis

New Delhi: In the 19th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), the teams’ frequent air and road travels have led to huge fuel consumption. So far in this season, which started from March 31, the teams have covered a distance of lakhs of kilometers. The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) has written a letter to Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya expressing concern over this issue.

CTI made this big demand

CTI Chairman Brijesh Goyal wrote a letter to the Sports Minister on Sunday 17 May and appealed to make a new schedule for the remaining matches of IPL. He has demanded that the matches should be held in limited stadiums and played without spectators. This will save fuel in the country and also reduce unnecessary burden on the government.

Thousands of liters of fuel can be saved

On an average, 50 thousand spectators come to a match, whose movement consumes thousands of liters of petrol and diesel. Apart from this, the expense of chartered flights of the teams is even higher. Aircraft like Boeing 737 or Airbus A320 burn an average of 2400 to 3000 liters of fuel per hour. This consumption reaches 5000 to 6000 liters in a two-hour flight. If the distance is long then up to 7000-8000 liters of fuel may be required.

According to CTI, if we look at about 10 air trips of each team, one team alone is spending 50,000 to 70,000 liters of aviation fuel. This figure is huge including the entire IPL.

Example of Corona period

Even during the Corona epidemic, IPL was successfully organized on limited grounds without spectators. CTI says that at present when the government is trying to control wasteful expenditure, then IPL should also take steps in this direction.

Decision necessary in national interest

Brijesh Goyal said in the letter that every department, officer and common citizen is trying to save. In such a situation, a big event like IPL also became a part of this campaign. Holding matches without spectators will not only save fuel but will also reduce security and administration costs.

This demand has come at a time when the country is facing economic challenges. If the government and BCCI implement this suggestion, both the environment and the economy will benefit.