‘Time out’ will harm IPL

 

As it is, the Indian Premier League (IPL) is under a cloud with the tournament being ‘voted’ out of India. And now to add to the woes, the organizers have added an ‘innovation’ wherein there will be a seven-and-a-half minute break after 10 overs are completed during each innings. During this interval, the fans present inside the stadium will be kept busy by a live band while those watching the game on television will be exposed to three, separate two-and-a-half minute segments, not surprisingly two of them sold commercially.

While one of the three sections will feature mainstream advertising, the second will showcase special projects. Expect to watch a series of short films on African children and the importance of education. In the third segment, the sides will be shown taking drinks and discussing ‘tactics’ in an effort to make it seem like a legitimate ‘time out’. It is understandable that the organizers will have plenty of money using the ‘time out’. However, the poor viewers both at home and in the stadium are only expected to get frustrated.

One of the biggest reasons behind the success of the inaugural edition of the Indian Premier League was its fast paced, near non-stop action. Thus, all the ‘time out’ can do is harm the chances of IPL 2’s success.

2000 seconds of advertising space has to be crammed into every match. This literally means 40 seconds of advertising after every over and 60 seconds at the fall of a wicket. Don’t be surprised if you miss out on some crucial moments of a match owing to an advertisement by a major brand.

Biggies like Ricky Ponting, Michael Hussey and Michael Clarke have already pulled out of the tournament and with the matches being held in South Africa, there will be a big question mark over the crowd support. The home and away advantage has already been affected following the change in venue. Having faced so many troubles one wonders whether the latest experiment is needed at the cost of viewers’ interest. Undoubtedly, the men behind IPL must be making more than enough money even during times of recession. By allowing the rapid-fire game to slow down, the organizers are risking turning a success formula into a disaster. IPL fans deserve better.