IPL 2022: Maharashtra government wants to increase crowd at matches

Maharashtra government is keen to increase the crowd capacity in the ongoing IPL 2022 to 50% from the first week of April, but the BCCI is still in "two-minds" on the issue, a reliable source revealed to TOI. "With the number of Covid-19 cases having gone down drastically, the state government is keen to increase the crowd capacity in IPL-15 to 50%.

Former ICC, BCCI and MCA president Sharad Pawar, a key player in the MVA govt in the state, has already had a positive discussion in this regard with Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. Both are on the same page on this issue.

However, the BCCI is still double-minded on this issue. "Considering that last year's IPL had to be shifted out of the country due to the second wave, it wants to play safe for now.

The BCCI wants a review of the crowd capacity around April 15, when the first phase of the league will be over," the source said.