Indian Premier League (IPL) has been a great addition to India’s sporting landscape. Though, it got a lot of flak from all quarters and even critics said that it is not real cricket. Some even have pointed out that IPL will kill test cricket in the long run. But the dream run continues inspite of all the criticism.
But now in its 13 year, the `made for TV’ extragavanza has survived the test of time. This edition of the Dream11 Indian Premier League) has broken all records of viewership. BARC India has released the ratings of Week 38th (19th Sep to 25th Sep) and IPL 2020 magic can be seen all over the rating charts.
Such has been the impact of IPL 2020 on viewership charts that Star Sports 1 Hindi has become the number 1 channel across genres, all languages of the Indian television. Be it entertainment, news or any other genre IPL 2020 is completely dominating the rating charts.
Star Sports 1 Hindi is the number 1 channel of the week for the first time with 1,247,407 (Weekly impressions in 1000’s). Free to air channel Star Utsav and Star Plus is number 2 and number 3 in the rating list.
Till now a total of 411 million viewers have watched the six weeks of the tournament, revealed the IPL’s official broadcast partner Star India.
In World Cup 2019, the viewership figures further jumped to 509 million viewers i.e. home and out of home combined. It was the most-watched ICC tournament ever.
The IPL 2020 viewership figures considerably improve upon both the IPL 2019 and ICC World Cup 2019’s figures, and if the tournament becomes the most-watched in the history of the game.
For those starved of live-action since the pandemic has hit are glued to their television screens for IPL 2020 starts.
Saurav Ganguly IPL- The best League in the World
The President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was left impressed with the match between Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Ganguly said that these types of matches are the exact reason as to why the lucrative tournament is the best league in the world. His remark came as Royals chased down 224 with four wickets in hand and three balls to spare at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. “What a game ..that’s why this is the best league in the world… amazing talent on display @bcci @IPL,” Ganguly tweeted.
IPL which began on September 19 is being played across three cities in the UAE — Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah — forced out of India due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The tournament”s build-up hit a rough patch when 13 members of the Chennai Super Kings contingent, including two players, tested positive for the dreaded virus last week.
Even though IPL features only 8 teams and has a run of 56 days from start to finish, it has its credibility and brings in a lot of money. This time it has attracted more Rs 1000 crore in sponsorship revenues from companies like Byjus, Dream 11, Pay TM, Unacademy amongst others.
It is steadily catching up with other sports leagues world over and the benefits of IPL reaches everyone from the billionaire team owner’s, to the humble rickshaw driver and to the snack shop owner near the stadium.
IPl has attracted sponsors like Byjus , Unacademy and Dream 11
IPl provides an opportunity for many
IPL players with humble backgrounds get an opportunity to prove their ability, who otherwise would struggle to make a mark in the game. They are earning also well. The current world no 1 bowler Jasprit Bumrah have actually come from a very humble background and the rise of IPL has catapulted him to stardom.
With IPL, India becomes a destination (This season for obvious reasons not) and suddenly the aspirations for a whole generation of budding cricketers across the world becomes a reality. It also gives a chance to our domestic cricketers to play alongside the best in the world.
IPL provides an excellent business for travel and hospitality industry, media and marketing agencies and specially sports management companies.
Incidentally, since the inception of IPL, multi franchise leagues for other sports like Kabbadi (PKL), Football (ISL) and Badminton (PBL) too have mushroomed with their franchises. IPL’s financial success has earned credibility and made investors to put their money in these other sports as well. This has given a huge boost to the sporting culture in India.
Cricket heroes from across the world has been hailed as Demi-Gods by their supporters in various cities. The advent of IPL rivalries are rather geographic than ethnic in India.
So let us sit back and enjoy this extravaganza in the comfort of your drawing room this year with world class batting, bowling and fielding performances. Cherish the thrilling close contests and power hitting by our very own players once again.
