IPL & its power

I have been watching the developments associated with the Indian Premier League (IPL) with interest, primarily because it is such a new concept (for cricket, that is!) and the fact that it is pioneered by the BCCI, the richest and potentially the most inept (excluding the Zimbabwe Cricket Union) cricketing body in the world. But, by the sheer weight of money, the IPL has managed to induce a lot of change. Suddenly, cricketers have earning capacity after their international careers have ended. The Aussies are fighting with their board for permission to participate in the IPL (although this is nothing new for Cricket Australia (CA) as similar disputes occured in the mid-90s as well as the mid-70s). Simon Taufel, arugably the best umpire in the world, is now contemplating retirement from International cricket to umpire in the IPL. I wonder how soon we are going to see coaches consign their international assignments to the dust and coach the India Cements (Chennai)/Red Chillies (Kolkata) franchises! Finally, an interesting note: Channel Ten in Australia will be telecasting all matches of the IPL and are rumoured to have paid in the vicinity of $10 - $15 million for telecast rights for the next 10 years. In a country where cricket coverage is limited to the games held in Australia and World Cup games where Australia is involved (only!), this is a huge achievement. Telecasting the IPL over the Socceroos World Cup qualifier against Qatar (Soccer is the most popular game in Australia) is a telling statement. As a footnote, the 'rebel' Indian Cricket League (ICL) hardly received a mention in the Australian print media, let alone live television coverage!

Is this the beginning of the end for International cricket as we know it? Will the IPL and the CT20 (the Twenty20 champions trophy) dominate like the English Premier League (EPL) and the Champions League? Call me a romantic but I still think the pride and the (sometimes jingoistic) passion associated with international sport can never be replaced by clubs and franchises. However, if the standard of cricket is even half as good as it promises to be, then cricket lovers will embrace the IPL. Having watched the ICL, I was fascinated by the concept but the standard of the cricket being played was far from spectacular. Lets hope that the retired giants such as McGrath, Gilly etc do treat this as a bonafide tournament and not as a cash cow to supplement their retirement funds.

As someone who was not around during the Packer revolution, I am excited about the possibility of being a witness to the next great revolution in cricket. Will it happen? If so, do I want it to happen? I wonder if my thoughts will change and a follow-up blog in 10 years time will make for interesting reading? Will the IPL go the way of the pyjama cricket (as WSC was called) or will it crash and burn like Dennis Lillee's aluminium bat?! Lets wait and see...as for me, I cannot wait for April 18, thank you Channel Ten!

Disclaimer: The articles reg economics of IPL and the comparison of IPL & EPL came out on cricinfo after this blog!

Sources: Cricinfo, http://www.cricinfo.com/