Half Empty stadiums !
Poor television viewership !
TV advertisers crying 'foul' and seeking return of money.
Finally, soul-less performance from the IPL teams !
THIS SUMS UP THE RECENTLY CONCLUDED AIRTEL T20 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE, notwithstanding what Lalit Modi would say.
Will there be a next edition of the Champions League at all or will it fade away like the World XI vs Champion Test team, a series which was played only once and could never draw in the crowds. Do many people even vaguely recall it?
The performance of the 3 IPL teams was pathetic to say the least and horrifying as far as the franchisees were concerned. Astute businessmen, they all are and they must be wondering whether buying famous cricketers at exorbitant prices alone could create a winning team.Remember they were looking at winning US$ 3.5 million and the disastrous performance would have definitely hurt them.
Stars alone do not make a team.The 'zing thing' called team-spirit or morale, which develops by playing together for a considerable length of time was conspicuously absent.Most of the players had assignments in different corners of the globe and had got together with their IPL teams only a few days earlier. Over-dependence on the foreign players was also evident.
The IPL teams had no motivation to win, except for the prize money. These were teams of 'mercenary cricketers' who had go together for the lucre and no other motivation but lucre again.
See the teams which did well--- New South Wales Blues, Trinidad & Tobago, Victoria Bushrangers, etc. These were not rag-tag outfits but State or Country teams which played for the State or National pride. That could be the BIGGEST motivator as Leander Paes would vouch for---remember how pumped up and charged he used to be when playing Davis Cup for India. Also note that these teams did not have 'imported players'. They were home-grown players. Alas, the standard of the Indian players were clearly exposed.
Mr Modi, going by the looks of it, the IPL may also lose its sheen in a couple of seasons.You need to do a rethink. Too much of cricket is not only tiring for the players but the viewers are are also clearly fatigued. Hope some sense will prevail on the administrators 'post the Champions League debacle'.
