IPL - League Loyalty and Success

The 8 O'clock factor (the absurdity of ad 'Mano Ranjan ka baap kaun hai', not withstanding),skeptics eating humble pie, glamour and sport feeding on each other...IPL had it all.

Some of my observations,opinions and my two cents on what would really define IPL's success...

The concept of league loyalty with respect to the viewers is not that difficult to implement. Our guys and many for that matter associate ourselves well, when the action is closer to us or involves our people; familiarizing with Yorkshire for Tendulkar, for instance in 1991.

Sticking with England, Compare Natwest Trophy vs Ranji trophy. Just because the action is closer to us, it would be presumptuous to conclude that Ranji trophy is a hit. In fact, it has never been so far. Apart from being close to the fans, role of marketing is vital as can be seen from overwhelming response to IPL and Ranji trophy's historically miserable reception.

And with respect to the players, league loyalty has been forced on them. If you happened to read the recent news on the impending T20 Champions League (am a proud football fan, another concept borrowed :)), IPL will get a first pick on the players. So, Matty Hayden, for all his attachment to Brisbane and Gabba will have to play for Chennai Superkings rather than Queensland in the event of both teams qualifying for T20 Champions League. Richest cricket league's financial muscle at work...

But is the league really for those, who have a wider knowledge base and who like to see superstars face off or play in one side?

Practically, I have wished so many times why there is a 4 foreigners restriction? If entertainment is what everyone wants, why not lift this 4 players' restriction. Especially when you see Palani Amarnath get hit all over the park, you crave to see two all rounders Oram, Morkel in the team. But you want Hayden, Hussey and Murali too. Where is the room for the fifth one?Why not have a team filled with Flintoff, Pietersen, Symonds, Afridi, Dhoni, Gilchrist, Sachin, Lara, Mcgrath, Akhtar, and Warne? (recipe for disaster in hindsight, Deccan dechargers :) )

This is what English Premier League has done. The league is the most competitive league in the world, but the african imports from Ivory Coast gets the nod to play in Arsenal's first eleven ahead of a local lad brought up in nearby Islington, London whose family members also happen to be lifelong club supporters. However, EPL is getting back to its roots now, as similar to IPL, they are also going to bring in a 6-5 combination of local and abroad players, w.e.f 2012.

So providing an avenue for local talent is paramount. Its effects will not show instantly.We need to bide our time to reap the rewards of this system. These guys compete with the best. Such tough conditions makes IPL their expressway to get into the Indian team.

Thus the demands of the fans, craving for home grown talent have been addressed, sufficiently, but has not been marketed that well as these young guys aren't going to help their franchisees sell more T-shirts like an Akhtar or Warne. The learning curve for our youngsters would steepen due to this foreign influence.Yes, you may see a Chennai grown Yomahesh play for Delhi and Punjab-da-puttar Gony play for Chennai, but to me, the long term success of the league would lie in showcasing local talent to the selectors and viewers alike.

Imagine, If you want entertainment and also a chance to spot bright young talent (feeling like a real life superselectors, so to speak), would you rather watch a Ranji trophy final at Brabourne stadium with free tickets and look at probably 15-20 young talent versus an IPL match at Wankhede with only 8 youngsters to look at. That's the real difference IPL has managed to bring. Viewers can see little guys unheard of (like asnodkar) explode on the big stage and witness fireworks from the Watsons and Symonds. Franchisee owners would be delighted to see their coffers filled up so fast. Selectors get a relaxed atmosphere to assess exciting talent. This win-win-win combination and keeping up the good work is what will really define the success of IPL.

(To be concluded...) :)