CRICKET TO COUNTER THE COVID-19 GLOOM?
India is known to ‘breathe’ cricket and cinema. But like everything else around the world, the two ‘popular religions’ of the country have also been affected due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Now, athletes across the world seem to be pulling up their socks to get into action once again. While Bundesliga, the German football league, started earlier this month, June will see the Premier League and Spanish La Liga kicking off.
For Indian sports fans, the exciting news came in earlier this week with
Cricket Australia, the Australian cricket board, announcing that the Indian team is scheduled to play three T20IS and ODIS Down Under (from October onwards), besides four Tests, in Australia, which also includes a day-night Test. Plus, there’s a strong buzz that the T20 World Cup is set to move to 2021, while the Indian Premi
League (IPL) may take place towards the end of this year.
Experts feel considering India’s “passion” for cricket, resumption of the game is “going to have a huge impact” not just in terms of revenue but also on people’s psyche.
“Sports, especially cricket, is so deeply entrenched in our life that resumption of the game is going to be a kind of elixir in terms of giving a sense of normalcy to people,” says filmmaker R Balki.
The lockdown has been a bane for many, but for Jeetendra, the past couple of months have been an eyeopener. The veteran actor reveals this period has given
Filmmaker Vinil Mathew too feels “cricket can distract people and cheer them up”. “But at the same time, human lives are of paramount importance,” he cautions.
And what’s the expected financial impact from the revival? “From a revenue perspective, apart from ticket sales, TV telecast rights bring a huge sum of money. So, I feel if people can get the games
India captain Virat Kohli is the only cricketer in the Forbes’ list of top 100 highest-paid athletes of 2020. He is also the only him a chance to see his children, both single parents, Ekta and Tusshar Kapoor’s parenting skills up close and realise his failings as a father.
“When my children were young, I was busy shooting in three shifts a day. In our times we used to do a lot of movies all at once, so there was hardly any time for the children which I feel very bad about today,” shares Jeetendra.
The actor, lauding how Tusshar and Ekta are raising their kids — Laksshya (three) and Ravie (one), respectively, going even without ticket money, it’s going to be worth it. Without spectators, there won’t be same atmosphere but I guess that’s what it is for a while,” says Atul Kasbekar, managing director of Bling Entertainment.
In terms of ad revenues, there may not be a huge jump, say Balki. “I don’t know how many advertisers will be ready to pay a premium price for ad slots since no one has the money with no demand at all for products. So, it’s not like advertisers jump on to live games,” he says. But Kasbekar is hopeful. “It [sports events] will give entertainment to people who are sitting at home and are bored, as they are of interest to almost everyone.”
Indian athlete on the list – at 66th position – with estimated total earnings of $26 million. Various reports say athletes’ earnings have also taken a huge beating due to the pandemic. says, “Now, especially during the lockdown, when I watch them and how they’re devoting time to their children, I realise they are wonderful parents despite being single parents. I feel I was such a bad father.”
The 79-year-old says he is thankful to his children for giving him the opportunity to spend such a lovely time with their kids. “I don’t remember doing the kind of masti, which I do with my grandchildren, with my kids when they were young,” he adds.