A recent report in one of the business newspapers suggested that the much hyped Champions league has not been a success, and organizers have blamed Diwali for the lack of interest in the fans towards the tournament. To me this looks like barking down the wrong tree. What BCCI and the organizers need to realize is that there are some fundamental issues, which need to be addressed, and unless those are done - success in such league formats is going to be difficult.
The first and foremost issue, which everyone in the cricketing setup seems to be blind about and everyone outside it seems to understand is that there is just too much 20-20 cricket, which in my opinion is the primary reason for the tournament to be a flop - with virtually no crowds (interestingly the commentators were trying to fool everyone by saying that the stadiums are packed when half the seats were clearly empty in matches involving non Indian clubs). What Mr Lalit Modi needs to understand is that it is virtually impossible for an average cricket fan to distinguish or remember any specific 20-20 match when compared to another one - because they are all the same. Team A scores 160-170, and Team B chases it. The script is so similar - that there will certainly be lack of interest. How they fail to see just amazes me. And think of it - they kept the Champions trophy such a small affair in order to accomodate the Champions League - when priorities should clearly have been different.
Secondly, we need to have some sporting pitches - else the script will become even more predictable, like it has become in one dayers in India.
Thirdly, international matches still take precendence for an average cricket fan, since it is easier to figure out loyalties there - League cricket still has a long way to go - before people bet big on it. How ESPN managed to pay USD 975 million for 10 year rights is beyond me!
This is not to say that the tournament cannot be a success in future. However, for that to
happen, two things are needed. One, the tournament should seem exclusive, which unfortunately it does not seem, given the amount of cricket we see. BCCI seems to have found a hen that lays golden eggs, and they are hell bent on cashing everything today - which is simply not possible. Secondly, there needs to be some time given to league cricket to develop, before betting all your resources on it. ESPN will probably learn this the hard way - and it will be unfortunate if they end up losing big time here, since they are the most competent channel around.
In a way it was good that the tournament ends up in a failure, because a reality check is necessary. When I watch cricket, I need to get completely involved in it, and I need to feel the pain when my team loses and feel the joy when it wins. I think it is the same with all Indian cricket fans -which is what makes cricket a success in India. However, we were all indifferent in this tournament. And that was the biggest problem. The only thing good about this tournament was Trinidad and Tobago.
The first and foremost issue, which everyone in the cricketing setup seems to be blind about and everyone outside it seems to understand is that there is just too much 20-20 cricket, which in my opinion is the primary reason for the tournament to be a flop - with virtually no crowds (interestingly the commentators were trying to fool everyone by saying that the stadiums are packed when half the seats were clearly empty in matches involving non Indian clubs). What Mr Lalit Modi needs to understand is that it is virtually impossible for an average cricket fan to distinguish or remember any specific 20-20 match when compared to another one - because they are all the same. Team A scores 160-170, and Team B chases it. The script is so similar - that there will certainly be lack of interest. How they fail to see just amazes me. And think of it - they kept the Champions trophy such a small affair in order to accomodate the Champions League - when priorities should clearly have been different.
Secondly, we need to have some sporting pitches - else the script will become even more predictable, like it has become in one dayers in India.
Thirdly, international matches still take precendence for an average cricket fan, since it is easier to figure out loyalties there - League cricket still has a long way to go - before people bet big on it. How ESPN managed to pay USD 975 million for 10 year rights is beyond me!
This is not to say that the tournament cannot be a success in future. However, for that to
happen, two things are needed. One, the tournament should seem exclusive, which unfortunately it does not seem, given the amount of cricket we see. BCCI seems to have found a hen that lays golden eggs, and they are hell bent on cashing everything today - which is simply not possible. Secondly, there needs to be some time given to league cricket to develop, before betting all your resources on it. ESPN will probably learn this the hard way - and it will be unfortunate if they end up losing big time here, since they are the most competent channel around.
In a way it was good that the tournament ends up in a failure, because a reality check is necessary. When I watch cricket, I need to get completely involved in it, and I need to feel the pain when my team loses and feel the joy when it wins. I think it is the same with all Indian cricket fans -which is what makes cricket a success in India. However, we were all indifferent in this tournament. And that was the biggest problem. The only thing good about this tournament was Trinidad and Tobago.
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