IPL 2020 in UAE: Fans soak up the excitement as action goes live

Remember IPL 2020 matches have been moved out of India and are being hosted in the UAE owing to rising number of coronavirus cases in India. This has been a windfall of sorts for fans in the UAE who always hesitated to travel to India to catch these matches live.  Gulf News went around Dubai and caught the mood live as fans were seen soaking up the excitement at Makar Scottish Bar in Radisson Blu Waterfront in Business Bay and Moon Mood Cafe in Oud Metha Road

See more

Dubai Metro turns 11 years old today
COVID-19: In photos, From open-air gyms to walking in the park, see how UAE residents stay fit
Photos: Gulf News reader shares his favourite travel destinations in the UAE, Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore and Australia
IPL in UAE: Virat Kohli and Royal Challengers Bangalore buzzing ahead of big day

IPL fans in Dubai — Supporters react during the IPL match between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings, at the Kickers sports bar in Dubai Sports City. Image Credit: Antonin Kélian Kallouche/Gulf News

Jaspreet Singh from Mumbai said it would be Mumbai Indians all the way. “They are a team who have always learnt from failures. They are well-planned and strategically stronger than Chennai. They have always defended low-scoring matches. They have a good chance to win tonight,” said Singh during the break after Mumbai Indians scored 162.

“It’s a treat for IPL fans in the UAE. Am rooting for Chennai Super Kings [CSK],” said Max Meitei, 39, a yoga teacher from the Indian state of Manipur.

He said both CSK and Mumbai Indians (MI) have a strong line-up and both the sides have charismatic captains in Rohit Sharma [MI] and Mahendra Singh Dhoni [CSK] would be looking forward to an early lead on the points table with a win on Saturday.

IPL fans — A Mumbai Indians and a Chennai Super Kings supporter keep the camaraderie going at the Citymax, Al Barsha. Image Credit: Virendra Saklani

Amit K. Mulani, 45, CEO, Oriental insurance Dubai, from Mumbai said by default he would be supporting Mumbai Indians. “With Rohit Sharma at the helm, we are looking strong here.”