IPL is the new Cricket Arena

Cricket was not merely a sport for Indians. It was even more important than all other sports including our national sport Hockey and other sports like Kabaddi and Wrestling. The passion in the minds of people exuded and competed with those of religions. Even religion lost its ground when a match of India and Australia or South Africa was played.

But the latest test series against Australia proves otherwise. The Indian team which was in their best form was destroyed by the guest team on our own soils. But why a team- which is in their best form would, be bounced over by another team. Virat Kohli getting gutted early in the match is not something that is well understood, particularly when people say that he has been in the best form ever. What is going wrong? Are the stars not good for the Indian team? Or the Aussies have suddenly become too good for us? Well there are many explanations to it, depending on our imaginations. Another guess is the IPL series that is starting in April of this year.

Any IPL season the players are not part of any nation; rather a part of a club and that reduces the stress and tension on the players. They have a better audience to showcase their skills. The IPL arena is likely that of a typical Roman arena where each warrior has a different showmanship. This arena will not only generate recognition for him but also build his personal brand. It will increase viewers for his performance in non-IPL matches as well and also ensure a good bidder for himself during the next season of IPL the following year.

 

The players will definitely get more time for the IPL and also not lose their form. They will get an audience who was bored by the cold test series with Australia and will get more thrilled to see players at their best form playing for IPL clubs. The players’ best form will ensure a steady flow of people into the stadiums. This is where the players will be showcasing their real form, and not in an ICC stadium. The IPL has redefined the very word of cricket.

The time of the year after the IPL will be the time when the players will go back to playing for their national teams and I am sure Virat Kohli and his team will sure work the rivals after the IPL. Do we hear anybody saying, “See you after the season”?

Well, the people who throng into the stadium to watch an IPL sure get bored with the same song playing in the background. The marketing team of IPL will be out of options to promote the series with a new look that looks promising even to deceive the people into thinking that this season is a fresh theme.

I think it’s time to think of hosting the IPL in alternate years rather than consecutive years. This will not only prevent the brand from diluting its value but also prevent lack of performance in national cricket. After all we must remember that these players did come out of national teams.