5 Reasons Why The IPL Desperately Needs A Shake-Up

Over the years the India Premier League (IPL) has successfully battled all odds. Even at the height of the spot fixing scandal in 2013, there were 60,000 people at the Eden Gardens watching Rajasthan Royals play when three of their players were at the centre of the scandal.

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It Was A Blockbuster Hit Even When Held Overseas

There was a lot of scepticism when the tournament moved to South Africa. Would it be successful away from India was the question asked? It was. The same happened when it moved to the Emirates. Yet again it was a blockbuster hit. Not so this time. This is the most boring and sluggish IPL. Half full stadiums, one sided games, hardly any talking points, the tournament clearly is struggling. Yes it is the first 10 days but the buzz is highest in the first week itself. Can it pick up?

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IPL A Victim Of T20 Overkill?

And there are multiple factors that explain the underwhelming buzz. In the aftermath of the World T20 there is a clear saturation with T20 cricket. For a stadium like Eden Gardens, which is hosting as many as 18 T20 games in 65 days or so, it is impossible to expect people to turn up for most of these games.

Heat Vs IPL, Heat Wins!

Add to this the severe heatwave that is going around in India. A 4pm match in Hyderabad or Kolkata for example is an absolute nightmare. At 40 degree centigrade temperature with 90 percent humidity, it is simply a torture and one can only feel pity for the players.

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But the temperature has always been an issue. Cricket has been the saving grace in the past as some pulsating stuff would capture the imagination of fans and draw them to the ground. That¡¯s the biggest problem of 2016.

IPL Doesn't Need Win The Toss Win The Match!

Win the toss and bowl first has become routine and the team bowling has won 12 of the 13 matches played so far. A nightmarish statistic that the IPL will fast want to change. Such predictability is exactly what brand IPL doesn¡¯t need.

One sided matches have compounded the problem. If you see scores of 140 or so from the team batting first and if the team chasing finishes things off in 16-17 overs, it is not the value for money you expect it to be when you make your way to the stadium. Only a couple of games have gone to the wire, that explains the poor crowds at stadia around the country.

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Drought-Forced Venue Change Doesn't Help Either

Finally, the relocation of matches will hardly help. In the absence of Chennai Super Kings, one of the stronger brands, the two new franchises need time to establish a fan following. And even before the Pune franchise has played their first game at their home, they have been told to move base. Clearly there will be no band of supporters for the franchise in the first year impacting the bigger picture of the IPL.

So, what does India's only global sports brand do from here on?

Make no mistake the IPL is facing a crying need for innovation. The novelty, which was so very essential to its success, has completely worn off and unless something new is done to give the brand a new fillip, it might become a serious problem going forward. The mix of cricket and entertainment is now everywhere and people aren¡¯t attracted to it anymore.