IPL: Indian summer's mega-blockbuster event

If you ask a common man in his early 40's, to pin down events that he believed defined the 1980s Indian era, well, don't be too amazed that India's triumph at the 1983 Cricket World Cup finds the numero uno spot. Moreover, the national team being crowned and labelled as the "Champion of Champions" at the 1985 edition of the World Championship Of Cricket tournament aptly served as the testimony to the dominance of Indian cricket team in the 80s.

Ravi Shastri soon became a poster child for this formidable side that was awe-inspiring, to say the least. It is inevitable that one seldom misses mentioning the impact the 1983 World Cup had on the Indian economy. Cricket pundits had gained a subtle sense of the monetary benefits that the game provides. The boom in the sales of Plasma Television sets further strengthened the argument of cricket emerging as an extravagant crowd-puller and ardent fan base generator in India. Who would have thought back then that this was the beginning of a glorious journey of fanfare, nail-biting finishes and a never ending crave for the intense on-field action?

A quarter of a century on, since the 1983 World Cup victory, the nation's heightened quench for a supremely competitive and exhilarating form of cricket gave rise to the IPL. If the 40 somethings can rave about the maiden World Cup win, then the all the 20 years olds can proudly punch above their weight, having borne witness to the evolution of the Indian Premier League.

The IPL has come a long way since its inception.

The story of the IPL was painted on a canvas, with brazen black and golden strokes, overpowering the tinge of orange, in the background. All the apprehensions wreathing the response to the IPL were put to rest when a certain Brendon McCullum from New Zealand, assured that the newly formed league was here to stay. McCullum's 158* has become an innings of somewhat mythical value to the IPL folklore, that encompasses the tale of resolute and tenacious batting. KKR's drubbing of RCB by 140 runs was tantamount to an innings defeat in Test cricket.

With the IPL emerging as summer's biggest attraction in India, the crowds throng the stadiums year on year to witness national and international superstars bowling alongside each other, or batting in tandem. It is rather convoluted to find a cause and effect relationship between the sustenance of the T20 format and the success of the IPL. Nobody would be able to tell if the birth of T20 cricket is responsible for the IPL's prolonged aura or vice versa. The cash-rich league, draws its revenue primarily from selling the broadcasting rights, while the franchises get a significant chunk of their contributions from various sponsors.

An important facet of the continued success of the IPL is the consistent monetary addition it makes to the BCCI's treasure year on year. The funds and revenues generated from the IPL, easily cover the expenses of broadcasting rights of International matches played in India.

Not only the BCCI, but the 8 competing franchises also draw hefty pay cheques in revenues and broadcasting rights after the completion of the tournament. With the IPL auctions being made public, almost every viewer knows the worth of their favourite IPL player.

All in all, we see that the IPL is a win-win draw for everyone that is part of the summer's greatest extravaganza.

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