The Indian Premier League will have fans back at the venues when the tournament resumes in the UAE.

Five-time champions Mumbai Indians will clash with MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings in Dubai on Sunday, four months after the world’s richest T20 league was halted midway by the coronavirus pandemic in India.

“This match will be a momentous occasion as IPL will welcome the fans back to the stadiums after a brief hiatus owing to the Covid-19 situation,” read an IPL statement.

The tickets for the remainder of the tournament, which will conclude with the final on 15 October, will be available from Thursday.

Last year, the IPL was shifted out to the UAE where it was held behind closed doors and fans stayed away in the first leg of this edition held in India.

Broadcasters used virtual background noise of fans cheering and stadium roars for the TV audience as matches were played in empty stadiums in the UAE and India.

The remaining matches of the ongoing 14th edition will be played in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah with players of all eight franchises in strict bio-bubbles.

© Agence France-Presse