Despite controversies, IPL still a top draw
Ranji, Duleep, Vijay Hazare, Mushtaq Ali, Deodhar -- domestic tournaments named after big daddies of Indian cricket – are over. So is Irani Cup, which honours the memory of a distinguished BCCI president .
Now, six months from October when it started, India’s domestic cricket season is reaching its climax. Coming soon at stadiums close to you, and on channels at the fingertips of your remote, is Indian cricket’s all-time super hit offering, IPL. To draw a filmi analogy, IPL is Baahubali and Dangal combined.
When first released 10 years ago, it conquered cricket’s box office, and continues to generate amazing numbers –media rights every year upwards of Rs 3500 crore, title sponsorship at Rs 400 crore. IPL, across eight teams, spends almost Rs 800 crore on players and support staff. These figures put in shade ‘chhota’ IPLs popping up in different countries. Ben Stokes’s salary with Rajasthan Royals is more than the cost of a team in Big Bash.
NO QUID PRO QUO
Interestingly, despite its global significance, IPL is a domestic BCCI tournament, though with a neat twist. Foreign players (also coaches/support staff) are given handsome salaries. Foreign cricket boards too are compensated – they receive 20% of the contracted value of players.
This arrangement works like magic. India rejects every request for allowing its players to participate in overseas leagues, but no country dare insist on reciprocity. The message is loud and clear – it does not pay to mess with India. In IPL, the business end of India’s domestic season, commerce and colour take over cricket. White ball replaces red, whites are discarded for technicolor clothing and the currency switches from runs to rupees.
Aware that careers are launched and fortunes are made in IPL, players are at the top of their game to handle ‘contract pressure’, the stress of justifying big salaries. Remaining injuryfree is tough but somehow everyone reports fit. Nobody wants rest and workload (14 matches in 5 weeks) is a non-issue! FRENZIED BUILD-UP
With just over a week to go, IPL promotion is hitting top gear with ‘best versus best’ and ‘sher versus sher’ contests. Teams are practising, coaching staff are at work justifying their existence and the marketing boys are slaving to close sponsorship deals.
Players are attending strategy sessions, and sitting through boring power-point presentations and getting to know their new mates in the dressing room. Dressed in flashy team jerseys, they appear at sponsor events to recite rehearsed (and fake) lines about how excited they are about their franchise and IPL.
But fans look forward to IPL with genuine excitement. Despite controversies and scandals, IPL remains a top draw where tickets sell, stadiums are packed and TV viewership keeps growing. IPL has had a big auction, teams wear a new look and the new broadcast deal ensures profits for everyone.
This happy situation is proof that India’s domestic IPL rules the world of T20 leagues!
INDIA REJECTS EVERY REQUEST FOR ALLOWING ITS PLAYERS TO PARTICIPATE IN OVERSEAS LEAGUES, BUT NO COUNTRY DARE INSIST ON RECIPROCITY. THE MESSAGE IS LOUD AND CLEAR – IT DOES NOT PAY TO MESS
WITH INDIA.