IPL15: Proof Indians can't be bored of cricket

Overdose and boredom are two words that can never find a place in an Indian cricket fan’s dictionary. In a country where the game is worshipped, "enough is never enough" for the devoted fans – even if the Indian team plays non-stop through the year. So the World Cup may be over but the cricket crazy Indian fans are already busy gearing up for the start of the eighth edition of the Indian Premier League – yes the game runs in our blood!

The official broadcaster Multi Screen Media (MSM) is keeping no stone unturned to ensure that every Indian gets into the carnival mode by regularly reminding its viewers about the cash-rich league through strategically planned advertisements.

With the IPL starting on April 8, queries have already started for passes. Even relatives who would otherwise prefer to watch the latest soaps during dinner, can’t wait to watch the latest sensation catch the imagination of millions of viewers across the world. Everyone wants to be a part of cricket in this country and when it is in the form of a carnival like the IPL, it’s even better. 

Who’s not in the knowhow would be surprised that even after watching Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Co ply their trade Down Under all through the Indian winter — first in the Test series, followed by the tri-series also involving England and then the coveted World Cup — Indian fans can’t wait to see them return to the field to play in the IPL.

But one thing is certain. If it was national sentiments at stake during the just concluded showpiece event, it will be regionalism on show as soon as the cash-rich league gets started. Even as one city will be pitted against the other, cricket will undoubtedly be the ultimate winner as thousands of fans will cheer for their favourite teams, battling the heat and sweat.

Dhoni may not be given a hero’s welcome at the Eden Gardens and Kohli might even be booed at the Wankhede Stadium. In fact, Kohli faced the brunt of those same loving fans during an IPL match in the sixth edition. And the Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper candidly expressed his displeasure later.

“I don’t know why the crowd gets so worked up during IPL. IPL is not the end of the world. And they forget that the players they are booing for also play for their country,” he had said.

The controversies surrounding the IPL have hardly ever affected the viewership. The spot-fixing controversies rocked the sixth edition of the IPL, but in season seven it came back stronger. Not one game had empty stands.

There are enough statistics to support his statement. Apart from sponsors like Amazon, Vodafone, Pepsi, Hero MotoCorp, Vimal Pan Masala, Intex Mobiles, Paytm and Cardekho.com, Ceat Tyres has also signed a three-year strategic timeout deal. In fact, towards the end, MSM had to rework the rates of advertising as there weren’t enough slots available.

Clearly, excess is less when it comes to Indians and their passion for the gentleman’s game.