Abu Dhabi: IPL Fans Take Time Off Work To Watch Auction Live

As the IPL auction unfolded at Etihad Arena, fans gathered to witness the bidding war, tracking the players, celebrating picks and discussing team strategies. Many of them had grown up watching the league, and said attending the auction felt like they had come full circle.

Among them were Sunil Lawrence, Sreejith and Rahil Shad, Chennai Super Kings supporters who adjusted their work schedules to be present.“This is where the season really begins,” said Rahil.“The auction decides everything on who plays where, how strong a team will be.”

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“We want Chennai to go strong. And honestly, we want to see a few more helicopter shots from MS Dhoni before he retires. Winning the trophy again would be the perfect ending.”

Another group, nearly 30 fans strong, had also taken leave together. Anivesh Mathew, Lovin, Anoop and Viju, said this was their second time attending an IPL auction in person.

“Nearly 30 of us took leave from work to be here today,” said the group.“We adjusted our duty schedules and will make up for it later. This is something we really care about.”

Viju said the group was not just following bids and prices.“We are passionate about cricket, and meeting legends like Kumar Sangakkara, MS Dhoni, Ricky Ponting and Shreyas Iyer would make this experience really special,” he said.“Being here gives you a chance to see the people behind the game, not just the players on screen.”

For Rishlin, a cricket enthusiast who also plays for a local team in the UAE, the auction offered insight into how the modern game is shaped. Taking the day off, he said he wanted to see how fast decisions are made and how teams think under pressure.

“I wanted to know which teams my favourite players go to and how the whole process works,” he said.“Watching it live is completely different. If I get a chance to meet a few coaches or managers and take a selfie, that would be amazing.”

Navya and Parvathi, both Gujarat supporters, said attending the auction felt personal. Born and brought up in the UAE, they said cricket has been part of their lives since childhood.“We have been following the IPL since the first season,” said Navya.“We really wanted Venkatesh Iyer and David Miller to be picked by Gujarat. Seeing the auction live helps us understand why teams make certain decisions.”

“This is our version of match day,” said Parvathi.“We grew up watching the IPL. Today, we are watching it being built.”

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