5 reasons why the IPL is losing its global sheen

5) IPL needs to find its new unique selling point

Shoaib Akhtar and other Pakistani cricketers have not been part of the IPL for years

The warm reception the IPL received during its early days was because for the first time in cricket, conveniently ignoring Indian Cricket League, players from various parts of the world were bound together in different teams allowing spectators to enthrall themselves seeing foes knocking gloves and friends locking horns. But since then, cricket has seen a number of similar leagues being established and hence, the concoction of players from different countries is no more the unique selling point of IPL.

Fans also miss several international stars in the IPL with Pakistanis being the major ones, for who would not have wanted to see Mohammed Amir bowling to an in-form Virat Kohli? The teams in the IPL too have done little to reach out to international fans.

Come what may, the above shortcomings can never affect the strong presence IPL enjoys in India. But with the rise of the Big Bash League, IPL’s international value is under a significant threat. The Indian flagship tournament has its work cut out if it wants to be the premier T20 tournament in the world.

The Big Bash League brought cricket to the centre stage and promoted the game with the sport even managing to break into new frontiers like the USA. If the IPL is going to continue to be India-centric, ignoring global spectators, then it will allow the BBL to capture the imagination of the rest of the world. The rise of the Indian Super League, a football league, should not also be taken lightly, which could go onto topple IPL’s strength within India.

The IPL should relentlessly try to set the standard for other T20 leagues, raising the bar every time it surmounts it. The amount of cash that flows in clubbed with the spectator-strength of India have already made the Indian league formidable.

If the league’s administration could iron out the few glitches and genuinely attempt to enamour global fans, then the IPL has the potential to help cricket market itself to unexplored territories.