Indian Premier League: The 7-Year Itch
With time, things get mundane and the Indian Premier League is no different. After seven seasons of the Indian Premier League, we look at what's plaguing the Billion Dollar League and how are things different today as compared to earlier seasons. And just why it needs a fresh lease of life.
They walked in together but one could see the indifference. He smiled nervously but she didn't quite look all there! It's that time in a relationship when things need to be worked out, introspected, thought through and ultimately changed-what many called the 7-year itch.(IPL 2015 Full Coverage)
We aren't just talking about a marriage or a relationship even the Indian Premier League as we start season 8. Forget what the advertisers claim, the TV ratings propagate, let's face it, it ain't the same anymore! Here's the how and why of it all:
1. Even before the after-taste of the World Cup could go away, came the IPL this season. It's not been just an overdose but more like a triple overdose of cricket for the past 6 months. Agreed the players have been playing that much, but that's their livelihood not the viewers! Like they say, too much of a good thing is also bad.
2. Neither has SRK changed his trademark style nor Preity Zinta her expressions, there's only that much glam that the Bollywood brigade can add from the stands. Agreed, Anushka Sharma could add a little zing like she did in the World Cup.
© BCCI
3. No fan buzz, not much IPL themed activity whether it's at restaurants, bars, clubs or screenings. It would be fair to say that the overall response has been mainly 'thanda' from the general janta.
4. Wasn't he in the other team? We're not surprised if you're confused which player is which team as there have been enough changes in the 8 squads after the auctions. While Dhoni in the Chennai squad, Bhajji in Mumbai and Gayle in the Bangalore squad may be exceptions - the IPL fan is often playing a memory game!
5. The betting and fixing scandals, N Srinivasan's antics, the probes and corruption charges - if anything can tick off a fan from the game, it's got to be this. Fans have a sense of distrust and doubt in their minds. And this is something only time will heal.
6. Think Indian league and now the IPL won't be the only thing on your mind. Badminton, tennis, kabaddi, football- all have captured the imagination of the adventurous sports loving Indian fan. There are fun, they are different and they're giving us the sports fix we need. Federer playing in New Delhi, Alexandro del Piero showing off his footballing skills in India, Abhishek Bachchan getting the whole of Bollywood to support Kabaddi - times are changing and so are other sports too.
7. Restrictions on players, on teams, on media coverage has led to the IPL being less interactive. It's become more exclusive than inclusive. While a lot of the precautions are being taken to curb corruption, the fans ultimately suffer.
So here's hoping for new perspectives, a fresh lease of life and a better cricketing calendar when it comes to the IPL. For, just like a batsman's skill, life too is all about timing it right.