Will the IPL even happen? That question has now lost its relevance, even with the Option A, B, C, D, and E that the BCCI officials provided to keep the optimism alive through these torrid times. And that doesn’t change even if the lockdown will be lifted by April 15.
International cricket too is out of question. So what can the BCCI do now apart from sitting tight? Is there any way to help generate some revenue that can be garned to minimize the notional revenue loss from IPL, provide a dose of Live cricket to the fans that be alternate therapy to IPL? Something that can give some window for cricketers who have been shadow-practising their skills and working out on their treadmills.
For the record, BCCI gets money from their broadcasters – Star Sports -- for every match that Team India plays. And then there is a separate contract with respect to IPL, even though its technically a BCCI domestic event. BCCI gets no revenue for broadcasting domestic games. And no, not even from showing any Women internationals. Domestic and women are part of the clubbed deal for Team India and IPL.
Desperate times call for drastic measures, and so its time for BCCI to come with a new tournament like IPL, something which can involve all their Team India stars in a T20 format, much shorter to ensure few logistical nightmares in these Covid-19 times and probably played out in-screen like Wrestlemania to keep the crowd firmly on television screens rather than filling out stadiums.
Sample this: 3 teams led by MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Like the past, present and hopefully, future Indian skipper. Put in all players who are regulars, dropped or on the fringe and showcase the top 45 of Indian cricket. Makes great television content. And good cricket content obviously sells in India.
However, the challenge is to make it look different from being a regular Challenger Trophy or any domestic tournament, however star-studded it might be, to monetize it seperately. Hence the need to innovate. Throw in a International XI , maybe even a few sentimental old-timers like Brian Lara, Gilchrist and even Sachin Tendulkar! To get a sprinkle of international players is a better chance than getting all the foreign players of 8 franchisees. Four teams, play each other twice and then final.
This new innovation can help rake in a few big bucks, even for the broadcasters but more importantly, it will provide so many interesting cricketing facets. First and foremost, this could well be the ideal guide to pick and choose Team India for the World Cup T20 in October --- presuming that it will be held on schedule.
Secondly, it gives MS Dhoni a platform to stake his claim yet again and prove he’s still got the hunder and desire for one more big fight. If this was indeed Dhoni’s last IPL or like somesay, last outing, might as well be in front of best in the business. So if he can prove his worth to rishabh Pant and KL Rahul, then he deserves the ticket to Australia.
IPL was always Indian Premiere League, for the Indians, by the Indians till a certain Lalit Modi took it to South Africa in a span of few weeks. Ever since, IPL has twice gone out to UAE now and is considered a new normal. Similarly, IPL couldn’t happen this year because of extraordinary circumstances. So this can pave the way for a new innovation. It could be something like Champions League, or improvised Challenger. But these are times when Sourav Ganguly need to innovate.
Because at stake is not just big bucks to recover. It’s the lost opportunities. For fans, broadcasters and for the players.
The Article Has Been Written And Contributed By ABP News Sports Editor GS Vivek