The league, despite whatever the sceptics said, was touted to merge into Indian life, culture and consciousness. The ingredients were in place — sizzle and dazzle, thrill and glamour, quality and authenticity. But few expected it to become a blockbuster as speedily or seamlessly, so much so that a summer without IPL, daresay, is inconceivable. As it blossoms into youth, one can only imagine the heady days that lie ahead.
In 2008, its viewership on television was estimated to be around 100 million. By 2020, according to marketing firm Yougov’s report, it spiked four-fold, nudging the 500 million mark. Streaming apps like Hotstar too have stolen a considerable chunk of the audience, viewership peaking at 8.6 million for a Mumbai Indians-Chennai Super Kings match last edition. But the streaming giants could lose as much as 20 million subscribers, after Reliance acquired the rights in a record-breaking deal last year (3.04 billion dollars for digital rights). In a sense, the IPL has won the battle for cricket’s future. Other formats and tournaments will co-exist, but more like satellites of the league, revolving around it. Nothing could hamper its soaring popularity — not even the spot-fixing allegations that many predicted would shake the edifice of the league, as the corruption saga dimmed the game’s popularity at the stroke of this century. Rather, its popularity has only soared. The league itself has got bigger, two more teams have been added, prize tags of players are blistering in every auction, and innovative rules have been introduced.
It could get bigger. There could be two distinct seasons a year in the future, eating into bilateral series, heeding to the demands of the broadcasters. The number of teams too could increase.
The reach and range of the league is broadening, fan groups and loyalty lines are more defined. Even cities and states without a team, or those that don’t host IPL games, are emotionally invested in the league. It has lost some of its stigma and suspicion, people don’t view this as an establishment of greed and grime.The bursts of entertainment on show have been distracting enough to draw even monkish eyeballs in IPL’s direction. The cricket has been competitive. The fans are clapping. The players, sponsors and official partners are smiling. The sceptics are now zealous converts. It is no longer considered gimmicky or trivial, but a serious tournament, with a standalone cricketing value of its own.So accepted and indispensable the IPL has become that in 15 years of its existence, it has embellished the summer flavours of India, and is as definite a marker of the season as the mangoes, with its own unique and irresistible flavours.
No year has gone by without the cricketing extravaganza. Only once has it not highlighted our summers — in 2020 at the peak of the pandemic. Even then, the IPL was only delayed, not suspended, whereas Euro 2020 was forced out of the calendar to 2021. But IPL rolled out in September and October.
“So, I’m not a fan of players resting during the IPL so that they can play the World Cup. Because, see, the players can get injured even during international matches. Anything can happen. “There should be no restrictions on players in IPL. Owners spend money on them and they should have the freedom to use a player as much as they want. IPL should be given a special status in that regard,” he added.
