Life for domestic cricket
India has taken a big step. Manish Varma has more on it.
Earlier, India had opposed Twenty20 cricket, whether it was the old Jagmohan Dalmiya regime or the new one. The reasons, as stated by me back then:
As its 40 percent of a limited overs match (in terms of overs and time involved), it results in 40 percent of income… This year, Pakistan has continued with the successful experiment domestically. However, PCB Chairman Shahryar Khan has opposed Twenty20 for international cricket.
So what has changed now? The big factor which Lalit Modi believes in, if summed up - earn money wherever the opportunity lies and let free markets prevail. On free markets, Modi had infact stated precisely that in a detailed interview with Rahul Bhatia a couple of months back:
Absolutely. I believe in free markets deciding everything. If there is no value, there is no value. Let people decide. In certain cases you might lose, in certain you might win. You have to be risk-prone too.
Either that, or pressure internationally has forced the change on Twenty20. Whatever the reason, that and the other initiatives indepth and proper broadcasting of domestic cricket on national television, inter city leagues have been taken. The big question should not be why but why not. India brings in the majority of revenue in the cricket world. So, if the Indian audience wants more, why not give it more cricket. If there can be a market for domestic cricket, why not exploit it?
Domestic cricket has suffered for long. Why not go even further? If the NBA or English Premier League can prosper, why not go for inter city leagues bringing in international stars as well? International cricket is sustained due to the competition and the money generated. As Modi says:
The inter-city league will be on the lines of the Premier Football League (of England), and we will have separate television, merchandising and grounds right for that,’ he disclosed, and added it would not be part of the rights that Nimbus holds.
‘It will probably become the single largest revenue earner for the BCCI in the years to come, if we structure it right. It will also help us drive crowds back to domestic cricket and help build more stars.’
The big dangers in an inter city league with international players would be - 1) could it generate as much interest given international cricket’s interest is based on rivalry of countriesm and 2) There aren’t as much talent base of players in international cricket like say in football.
However, what’s the harm in trying? We may not see a level of an NBA reached in India. However, what we can see is money generated which can be a huge impetus for infra structure and further development of a talent pool of players. I had asked what is forward, BCCI?. One of the points I had raised:
However, domestic cricket promotion and marketing, initiatives to develop the game in the country remain missing.
One step forward has been taken then. The recent initiatives will please most Indian cricket fans who have been deeply saddened at the plight of domestic cricket for so many years. I am one of them.
Tags: BCCI, Indian Cricket.
