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THE WAY FORWARD

T

he formation of the Indian Premier League was an economy, in a country which loves its cricket like nowhere else.
incredible journey made from dream to reality in eight months.
However, the tournament, which began so successfully in April To co-exist happily with the game at large, and test cricket in
2008, was only the beginning. particular, it may yet happen that an annual ‘window’ will be
created in the international calendar around March, April or
While everything happened remarkably quickly, there is likely May. At the moment, it is not anticipated that a second window
now to be a gradual evolution as cricket fans in each of the will be needed, although it seems certain that leading players
franchise cities build up their affinity to the team that represents from around the world will want to participate in the Indian
them. The growing of identities was singled out in advance as a Premier League whenever the opportunity arises.
key aspect. History is forged with every match played, a process
that will be aided by the infusion of players from the local area One change from the second year onwards is that some of

and those from further afield returning year after year. England’s top players, including Andrew Flintoff, Kevin Pietersen
and Paul Collingwood, will be playing for their respective
In its first year itself, IPL has seen the realisation of Lalit Modi’s franchises.
dream that fans across the country would declare, ‘My City, My
Team’. Stadiums across the eight cities were packed with locals The broader goal of the Indian Premier League is to ensure an
rooting for their new franchises. This link will only grow as the upgrade in the venues so spectators will be able to watch their
years go on and spectators look forward each year to their dose favourite teams in the comfort they richly deserve.
of top-class Twenty20 cricket.
According to Ravi Shastri, former India captain and IPL Governing
Following the initial format in 2008 of eight teams playing a Council member, the only way IPL will be going is up. ‘Having
total of 59 matches, it is likely a ninth franchise will be added played and watched cricket over the last three decades, I have
in the fourth year of the IPL, and there are plans for a 10th to absolutely no doubt in my mind that this will be one of the
be added in the fifth or sixth year, taking the overall number of biggest success stories this game has seen for a very long time.’
games up to 93. ‘It will take the game’s popularity to an altogether different
level’, he says.
As there were seven disappointed bidders when the original
franchises were distributed, there is expected to be considerable As a relatively young game, it is continuously evolving. As each
demand for the additional two when they become available and game is played, it is continuously being tweaked and refined.
the league is fully established. The franchises have been sold in Spinners have generally proved more effective than was
perpetuity, with an arrangement that the owners pay for them generally expected, but, as Shaun Marsh showed during his
over a 10-year period in equal instalments. superb stint with Kings XI Punjab, batsmen are innovating all
the time too.
Beyond that, there is nothing set in stone but, marketing wise,
the development of the Indian Premier League looks likely to In whatever manner the game may morph in future, it sure is
take place against a backdrop of continued rapid growth for the going to be an exhilarating ride on an eventful journey.

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