Ranji, Duleep, Vijay Hazare, Mushtaq Ali, Deodhar — domestic tournaments named after big daddies of Indian cricket \u2013 are over. So is Irani Cup, which honours the memory of a distinguished BCCI president .<\/p>\n
Now, six months from October when it started, India\u2019s domestic cricket season is reaching its climax. Coming soon at stadiums close to you, and on channels at the fingertips of your remote, is Indian cricket\u2019s all-time super hit offering, Indian Premier League. To draw a filmi analogy, IPL is Baahubali and Dangal combined.<\/p>\n
When first released 10 years ago, it conquered cricket\u2019s box office, and continues to generate amazing numbers \u2013media rights every year upwards of Rs 3500 crore, title sponsorship at Rs 400 crore. IPL, across eight teams, spends almost Rs 800 crore on players and support staff. These figures put in shade \u2018chhota\u2019 IPLs popping up in different countries. Ben Stokes\u2019s salary with Rajasthan Royals is more than the cost of a team in Big Bash.<\/p>\n
Interestingly, despite its global significance, IPL is a domestic BCCI tournament, though with a neat twist. Foreign players (also coaches\/support staff) are welcome, and are given handsome salaries. Foreign cricket boards too are handsomely compensated \u2013 they receive 20% of the contracted value of players from their country.<\/p>\n
This arrangement works like magic. India follows a one-sided policy to reject every request for allowing its players to participate in overseas leagues, but no country dare insist on reciprocity. The message is clear \u2013 it does not pay to mess with India.<\/p>\n
In IPL, the business end of India\u2019s domestic season, commerce and colour take over cricket. White ball replaces red, playing whites are discarded for technicolor clothing. Cricket\u2019s currency switches from runs to rupees.<\/p>\n
Aware that careers are launched and fortunes made in IPL, players are at the top of their game to perform and handle \u2018contract pressure\u2019, the stress of justifying big salaries. For this, remaining injury free is a challenge, but somehow everyone reports fit; nobody wants rest and workload is a non-issue!<\/p>\n
With just over a week to go, IPL promotion is hitting top gear with \u2018best versus best\u2019 and \u2018sher versus sher\u2019 contests. Teams are practising, coaching staff are at work justifying their existence and the marketing boys are slaving to close sponsorship deals.<\/p>\n
Players are attending strategy sessions, and sitting through boring power-point presentations and getting to know their new mates in the dressing room. Dressed in flashy team jerseys, they appear at sponsor events to recite rehearsed (and fake) lines about how excited they are about their franchise and IPL.<\/p>\n
But fans look forward to IPL with genuine excitement. Despite controversies and scandals, IPL remains a top draw where tickets sell, stadiums are packed and TV viewership keeps growing. IPL has had a big auction, teams wear a new look and the new broadcast deal ensures profits for everyone.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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