One of most successful stories that will be remembered in Cricket History will be IPL, Indian Premier League. I think IPL can be compared to a new Harry Potter issue or iPhone launch, which have taken the entire audience by storm. Much has already been written about IPL , the event was covered by media at a grandiose level and ultimately it proved to be a WIN-WIN situation for all. The organizers, including the Team Owners, must have made a killing. Players earned what would have taken them atleast a couple of years and audience had a thrilling experience, non-stop for 6 weeks.
I feel four key factors actually contributed to the astounding success of IPL :
1. Money-Money : Yes it rained and it rained Cats n Dogs. Whether it was for the Kings who owned the teams, or the players who fought some valiant battles or for the smartest lot (organizers) who organized this league. No matter which team played at whichever venue, the stands were full, TRPs went to an all time high(giving a tough time to bollywood and soap operas) and thus justifying the mind-boggling amounts paid by the Sponsors. Such was the aura of IPL that BCCI earned much more than it did during the World Cups which it has organized. Players, who struggled to make it to their National Teams, not only got good recognition, but also fair amount of money, which must have satisfied them for having devoting their life to the Gentleman's game. SRK was touted as a better businessman than Liquor king Vijay Mallaya. SRKs team Knight Riders failed to make it to the Semis but still emerged as the most profitable team. Sometimes I wonder, had the person who thought about this format should have patented it, he would have been a billionare by now.
2. Cricket Frenzy Nation : Cricket is to Indians what honey is to a bee. Un-doubtedly India is the most cricket frenzy nation. There are maniacs, who would just eat, drink and sleep cricket. They are the true disciples of the religion called Cricket. Now the maniacs were offered something which was more breath-taking and had more thrill. So Cricket was not just Cricket, it became Cricketainment. For an average Indian, returning home from office had a meaning. With this kind of popularity, Cricket is bound to make further progress in those nations where it stands for nothing more than a myth.
3. Awesome Format : Watta format boy !!!! Sixes, Sixes and Sixes. Purists might howl for this being an incorrect version of Cricket, but who cares. Audience had just pure fun for few hours. Many matches resulted in a nail biting finish as the fate was decided on the last ball(IPL Final being a true testimony). The format never desires for you to commit 4-5 days as in Tests or almost an entire day as in One-day. It seems like a thrill-cum-action-packed hollywood movie which asked for just a handful of hours and did set the impeccable tone for climax. Could you have asked for more ????
4. No Boundaries : Were there any boundaries (No I don't mean that IPL had only sixes and no fours). Was Shane Warne a Rajasthani or Makhaya Ntini well versed with Tamil or McGrath a true Delhite. Or were these players fighting battles for their Kings. It was nothing as mentioned. Rather it was the Spirit which kept the players together. Each player, irrespective of the region or religion, seemed to BELONG to the team. Camaraderie was at its best. It was quoted that Shane Warne and Graeme Smith turned from foes to friends. This reflects how the teams play as an unit when there is a sense of ownership.
What does the future hold ???
IPL undoubtedly had the MIDAS touch and going forward people will wait with utmost eagerness for the upcoming IPL Seasons. Let me throw a question "Who should get the credit for the success of IPL? " Answers could range from a. Players b. Organizers c. Bollywood (made some quick bucks with appearances...). People might have a different answer altogether, "LALIT MODI". Yes kudos to this man for having organizing the tournament and signing off it in style. But I still feel that the real credit lies with ICL (Indian Credit League). Zee group was the first to realize the true potential of the youth who are struggling to make to the international arena. They did the right thing by offering a platform to youngsters who could have never impressed the nepotomized bosses of BCCI. I think ICL hasn't got its due. Players from ICL need to be brought into the mainstream, possibly giving a few deserving candidates, a chance to represent their country.
All in all, a true victory for Cricket. We clearly see the game evolving and bringing in great entertainment for the target audience. Going forward, who knows, an IPL vs ICL tournament or a championship involving respective country leagues.
