File photograph of IPL chairman Arun Singh Dhumal.
| Photo Credit: VIVEK BENDRE
Buoyed by the success of the inaugural Women’s Premier League, IPL chairman Arun Dhumal on April 4 stated that they plan to introduce the home and away format from season two however the variety of groups will stay 5 for the following three years.
The first ever WPL turned out to be successful amongst followers and gamers however because the match was staged inside robust timelines and proper after the Women’s T20 World Cup, the BCCI determined to organise all of the video games throughout two venues in Mumbai.
Terming internet hosting of WPL the most important problem of his tenure, Mr. Dhumal stated having home and away video games immensely assist groups in constructing a fan base and the board needs to take that route as early as subsequent season.
“Well begun is half done. It has been a great beginning for WPL and going forward it is going to be much better than what we have seen so far. We have started with five teams but going forward there is scope for additional teams given the pool of the players that are going to come in the years to follow.
“We are hoping enhance in the variety of groups however for the approaching three seasons will stay 5. We are certainly home and away format, we’ll see which period slot is on the market contemplating India’s worldwide dedication and take a name.
“From a fan engagement point of view it is very important that we go for home and away format,” Mr. Dhumal informed PTI.
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Fans turned up in sizeable numbers to observe the video games at Brabourne and D.Y. Patil Stadium. The occasion had garnered large consideration even earlier than the primary ball was bowled with the groups rights fetching BCCI near ₹4,700 crore and media rights ₹951 crore.
“It has been a phenomenal ride so far and quite a challenging one given the time slot we had to start the WPL. We are satisfied with the way things have progressed, we did not have much of window as the World Cup was there and the girls had just about a week to comeback and start.
“Everything (media rights, staff rights, participant public sale) occurred one after the opposite however the best way the match was acquired, it was phenomenal,” Mr. Dhumal said.
One reason for not introducing a sixth team right away could be the lack of quality local talent. The world’s best displayed their exemplary skills in the competition but leaving aside Saika Ishaque, Kanika Ahuja and Shreyanka Patil, not many uncapped Indian players were able to turn heads on.
“Our nationwide staff has completed very properly over the past couple of years. U-19 women gained the World Cup. Given how the WPL was acquired, we’re very hopeful that we are going to have a much bigger pool of gamers and their health and fielding normal will enhance immensely going ahead.” Three out of five teams are owned by legacy IPL franchisees, who have seen the value of the men’s league reach astronomical proportions.
When can the WPL franchisees break even?
“As far breaking even is anxious, those that have invested their cash, they’ve plans in place. Our plan is to generate cash and plough it again into the sport and get a much bigger and higher pool of gamers for India.” Mr. Dhumal said.
It was also important to give players from associate nations an opportunity in the WPL. USA’s Tara Norris played in the inaugural edition.
Teams can pick as many five overseas players in the playing eleven but the fifth one will have to be from an associate nation.
“This is a worldwide occasion. It just isn’t India-centric. We have given one slot to affiliate international locations which is able to assist the sport develop globally. And their gamers did properly too.”
IPL: TV remains relevant but be more takers for digital medium
The two-month-long IPL began last week following a record media rights deal that fetched the board a staggering ₹48,390 crore. The board sold TV and digital rights separately for the first time and that proved to be a masterstroke.
TV rights holder Star and digital rights owner Viacom are jostling to give an improved viewing experience to the fans.
“The recreation has to innovate for everybody. Everything in regards to the recreation has to revolve across the followers. The thought was to make it extra enriching for the followers. We had a unique set of auctions (for media rights), we now have two superb companions.
“A lot of market needs to be captured as far as the global audience is concerned. We will reach out to the fans globally,” stated Mr. Dhumal.
Considering the digital revolution happening in India and all over the world, will TV stay related?
“Digital is changing the landscape so there will be more takers for digital but given the depth and reach of the television it still has a great market in India,” he added.
Introduction of Impact participant
Mr. Dhumal added that the introduction of Impact participant in the IPL and groups being picked after the toss was completed to mitigate the toss benefit.
“We have seen dew play a major role. Winning the toss is seen as an advantage and to mitigate that we thought to introduce ‘Impact Player’ and give the teams chance to pick teams post toss so they can pick the right eleven,” he added.
