IPL gets bigger but is it better?

It would seem that the IPL is getting bigger and with another Rs 3,000 crore being pumped in by way of two new franchises – Kochi and Pune – I do wonder whether there is a recession at all in our country! In difficult times like these when everyone is into cost-cutting, it is mind-boggling that companies can yet fork out such huge amounts just to own a cricket team.

For all that, I am not totally convinced that all the franchises have cricket at heart. I feel, it is more about entering into another business venture. More like a start-up really. I would also like to know the parameters used for evaluation that led to the fixing of the base price of USD 225 million for each of the two new teams.

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True, cricket, especially the IPL has garnered impressive eyeballs, footprints, TRPs or whatever, but it is basically region-specific. I can hardly relate to the money considering that cricket is anything but a global sport and still has a long, long way to go to achieve that status. Yet, the IPL has some serious numbers that it can throw at even the EPL or the NBA. For me, it makes no sense and perhaps, I should have a sitting with one of the biz whiz kids to understand!

Consider this – the IPL has generated more money than what the Indian government has spent (and still is spending) on the Commonwealth Games. To top it, the IPL has the potential to get even richer, if not truly global, given the fact that for Lalit Modi, more is less. He has already hinted at taking his circus abroad and that could only mean more franchise teams catering to local interests.

Looking at the direction the IPL is heading in, I would say that the game itself will have to undergo serious modifications or innovations to suit the format. The Mongoose bat is a clear sign of things to come. I had the occasion to have a feel of the bat during its launch in Chennai and frankly, it took me a few swings at an imaginary ball to get the hang of it.

IPL 2010: Full Coverage

Speaking then, Matthew Hayden predicted more innovations in the near future. He cited the changes in the basic equipment such as pads and gloves that are in a constant process of refinement. I am sure that 10 years hence when we look back at the IPL of 2008, we would probably dub it as “amateurish” in content and presentation!

The IPL today borders on the garish and the lavish. There is so much noise and razzmatazz that you have little time to bother about the quality of cricket on display. But then, for most of us, it is a welcome break from our routine – nothing more, nothing less. To an extent, the IPL was forced down our throat and there are no signs yet of an indigestion.

My main fear is for Test cricket that might erode in its relevance, if not significance, over a period of time when future administrators, brought up on a diet of T20 might even question its existence. Young players these days have begun to look at the IPL and not Tests or even ODIs as the ticket to instant fame and fortune.

Facilitating such a process is the enlargement of the IPL. Two additional teams will open the doors of opportunity to at least 60 players. It could also mean dilution in terms of overall quality of cricket. But then, who cares so long as we can have a good laugh? We might end up watching the IPL like we do the nonsensical Bollywood pot-boilers – see it (if you wish
to) and forget it.