Is the IPL your gold star or death star? Sam Perry on what it’s like to follow the IPL from Australia, and – if you’ll allow – some thoughts on the 2024 edition.
I watch a lot of cricket. And by a lot I mean not only tests and IPL but Caribbean Premier League, European cricket occasionally and a bit of the Pakistan T20’s. I record most IPL matches and re-watch the ones that are interesting. And what I can say is that the BCCI is in grave danger of overcooking the IPL. If the rumours are true that they want to not only expand the number of franchise teams but play the tournament twice per year, they will eventually kill the golden goose. It all comes down to a huge misconception about cricket in India.
Many Indians like cricket, for sure, but it’s the Bollywoodization of cricket that’s driving the IPL, not the true believers. It’s all about stars and celebrities and their cricket feats are a way that reinforces their character and persona. As Sam stated in the article, the fans’ focus is not so much on teams as it is on individual players who happen to members of a particular franchise.
And since through auctions and horse trading many players often switch between franchises, team fan loyalty can be fickle.
If IPL does extend to twice a season, many top players will be too exhausted or end up with more injuries that will have a cascading effect onto tests and other franchise cricket tournaments outside of the IPL.
We are reaching a crossroads in cricket, and one can only hope that saner heads prevail to stop the IPL from its insatiable hunger that could eventually consume this great game of ours.
It doesn’t matter to me whether it’s Indian, Australian or whatever. It’s the fact it’s T20 - an amorphous forgettable form of the game that grinds off any nuance or variety. Highly processed, low nutrient, instantly forgettable. Give me the raw food of a Test any day.
honestly you guys have done a great job ,covering the ipl is tricky no doubt and you guys get the most views still for test matches but the dedication and work ethic has been sublime specifically when you are earning money on patreon,hats off
I don't watch the IPL mainly due to the hours. But also I like seasons, and that includes sporting seasons. I need a break from the cricket. And, to be honest, I kind of prefer to see Australia perform. But I do check the results every morning, primarily to see what disappointing Australian performance occurred overnight. I've been adding to that a Bumrah check whenever he plays - from his figures alone you can tell he's an outstanding bowler.
I think one (of many?) problem is it's not organic. Unlike the different cricket clubs in the country, or county cricket or the various football clubs in England, the franchises were conceived in boardrooms instead of cricket maidans. And then theres the tawdry ownership and auctioning. The players seem to like it though and it has surfaced a lot of talent so at least theres that.
Modern Cricket Must evolve, as much as we love it, lets be honest, Test Cricket isn’t staying for long.. For all the pride Eng and Aus take in leading the sport for decades, they failed to grow it outside of the Commonwealth, T20 has potential to do that. All it takes is the Sport to have some faith in India(whom everyone has declared guilty of destroying Test cricket btw), Cricket fans who care about the game should root for that. Anyways, Been following your show since the Gabba Test, and love your takes on the future of Cricket, (which you guys only discuss with the guests). Wrote a wonderful article here, but never seem to discuss these on the show with Ian. You both should talk all these on the show, a lot of the “IPL audience” would love the perspective, maybe do the talk when you close this season?
The quality of cricket is also good keeping everything aside and that is because the Indian core some who are even on the fringes have performed well. And it is very competitive. Anybody can beat anybody.
Impact players rule, two bouncers rule have really galvanised the league.
All up since it started, what, 15 years ago, I've seen a grand total of about two hours of the IPL. It could well be brilliant, and I'm not a fossilised T20 hurumpfer, but I just can't warm to it.
yep pretty good
I watch a lot of cricket. And by a lot I mean not only tests and IPL but Caribbean Premier League, European cricket occasionally and a bit of the Pakistan T20’s. I record most IPL matches and re-watch the ones that are interesting. And what I can say is that the BCCI is in grave danger of overcooking the IPL. If the rumours are true that they want to not only expand the number of franchise teams but play the tournament twice per year, they will eventually kill the golden goose. It all comes down to a huge misconception about cricket in India.
Many Indians like cricket, for sure, but it’s the Bollywoodization of cricket that’s driving the IPL, not the true believers. It’s all about stars and celebrities and their cricket feats are a way that reinforces their character and persona. As Sam stated in the article, the fans’ focus is not so much on teams as it is on individual players who happen to members of a particular franchise.
And since through auctions and horse trading many players often switch between franchises, team fan loyalty can be fickle.
If IPL does extend to twice a season, many top players will be too exhausted or end up with more injuries that will have a cascading effect onto tests and other franchise cricket tournaments outside of the IPL.
We are reaching a crossroads in cricket, and one can only hope that saner heads prevail to stop the IPL from its insatiable hunger that could eventually consume this great game of ours.
Interesting perspective, Vince. At the risk of being glib I suspect if there's bulk TV value to extract from more "content", they'll go for it.
It doesn’t matter to me whether it’s Indian, Australian or whatever. It’s the fact it’s T20 - an amorphous forgettable form of the game that grinds off any nuance or variety. Highly processed, low nutrient, instantly forgettable. Give me the raw food of a Test any day.
honestly you guys have done a great job ,covering the ipl is tricky no doubt and you guys get the most views still for test matches but the dedication and work ethic has been sublime specifically when you are earning money on patreon,hats off
I don't watch the IPL mainly due to the hours. But also I like seasons, and that includes sporting seasons. I need a break from the cricket. And, to be honest, I kind of prefer to see Australia perform. But I do check the results every morning, primarily to see what disappointing Australian performance occurred overnight. I've been adding to that a Bumrah check whenever he plays - from his figures alone you can tell he's an outstanding bowler.
Good article Sam. It’s great to see so many points of view and observations from only a few writers on this substack.
Always enjoyable, informative and challenging
I think one (of many?) problem is it's not organic. Unlike the different cricket clubs in the country, or county cricket or the various football clubs in England, the franchises were conceived in boardrooms instead of cricket maidans. And then theres the tawdry ownership and auctioning. The players seem to like it though and it has surfaced a lot of talent so at least theres that.
Modern Cricket Must evolve, as much as we love it, lets be honest, Test Cricket isn’t staying for long.. For all the pride Eng and Aus take in leading the sport for decades, they failed to grow it outside of the Commonwealth, T20 has potential to do that. All it takes is the Sport to have some faith in India(whom everyone has declared guilty of destroying Test cricket btw), Cricket fans who care about the game should root for that. Anyways, Been following your show since the Gabba Test, and love your takes on the future of Cricket, (which you guys only discuss with the guests). Wrote a wonderful article here, but never seem to discuss these on the show with Ian. You both should talk all these on the show, a lot of the “IPL audience” would love the perspective, maybe do the talk when you close this season?
I was one of those 5000... Anyway, I like your substack writing better than your YT shenanigans, so I might stick around here.
No problem, Temujini. Hope you enjoy the writing 👍
Sam,
The quality of cricket is also good keeping everything aside and that is because the Indian core some who are even on the fringes have performed well. And it is very competitive. Anybody can beat anybody.
Impact players rule, two bouncers rule have really galvanised the league.
All up since it started, what, 15 years ago, I've seen a grand total of about two hours of the IPL. It could well be brilliant, and I'm not a fossilised T20 hurumpfer, but I just can't warm to it.
Fair enough, Tony.