The traditional IPL opening ceremony may be scrapped next year with the BCCI finding it too expensive to organise, taking annually a cost of around Rs 30 crores. This was reportedly among the key decisions taken during the IPL governing council meeting on Monday (November 4), also including the option of having an umpire specifically to check the no balls. 

"The opening ceremonies are a waste of money," a BCCI official told The Indian Express. "The cricket fans don’t seem to be interested, and the performers have to be paid a lot."

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Previously, many Bollywood and even Hollywood stars graced the occasion but the event as a whole has regularly left a lot to be desired. Not even recovering the money the board has had to shell out for it. 

Over the no-ball issue, it is believed having that extra umpire will help in fairer decision making and avoid controversial instances like seen in the previous season where RCB captain Virat Kohli and then CSK skipper MS Dhoni openly expressed their concerns. 

"Last season, several players were given out and later recalled when replays showed the bowlers had overstepped. The idea is to reduce errors and controversies," the official added. 

The auction for IPL 2020 is expected to be held in Kolkata on December 19. 

(Inputs from Indian Express)