World Cup 2011 got off to a flying start – at last. There has been so much hype around this mega global cricketing event that we have been waiting this occasion for ever. After the lack-luster edition of the world cup in 2007, where the two sub continent giants didn’t see through the first few weeks, this year has sounded more promising than ever for a couple of reasons. Firstly, this edition of the world cup is played in the sub continent where the passion for the sport is unmatched in the rest of the world and secondly, this year promises to be the best chance for one of the sub continent teams to win the coveted trophy.
Between the Over’s
Cricket is increasingly becoming commercial over the years. Kerry Packer saw the opportunity with the marketability of the game in late 1970’s when he introduced lights, color dresses and lots of speed in the game. Later, BCCI saw that an average Indian gave more importance to the basic necessity of life – Cricket, followed by the others - Food, Clothing, and Shelter. They saw enough opportunities to market this game and its players that soon they became one of the richest sports administration body in the world. Credit for this turn-around should be attributed to Jagmohan Dlamiya (TV rights) and Lalit Modi (IPL), both of whom incidentally could not come out with clean records of integrity. I wonder if the Harvards and the IIMs are noting the story of quick turn around that the BCCI has witnessed, creating case studies and including them in their curriculum.
Neo colonization
In 1990s, cricket turned out to be a commercial hit in the sub-continent and slowly the cricket associations of the region, led by India, became a strong lobby within the International cricketing body. The association has shown its influence in the governance of cricket globally and has arm-twisted the parent body and its representatives on numerous occasions. That, many believe, is the reason for the sub-continent to stake its claims in the quadrennial event this year. No doubt, the sub continent knows the business and has the support of a passionate public to convert this event into a success.
Learning from Mistakes
The fixture of this event has been discussed often – with many supporting the long gaps between the matches of teams in the pretext that these gaps will give players sufficient time for recover from injury and fatigue while others blamed this fixture to be boring and lacking rhythm and continuity. Contrary to all believes and reasons, I feel that the major reason why the tournament is so spaced is learning out of last edition. This year, even if India and/or Pakistan are out of the first round, the corporate houses and the associations will generate enough revenue to at least break-even though advertisements over a month. Last edition saw many Marketing heads in large corporate houses who had betted on a very strong television viewer ship during the world cup spin. To still ensure that the interest in the event lasts long, the format is also altered in order to give the higher ranked teams (read: India and Pakistan) better chance to qualify to the knock out stage.
Wishing the Best
As mentioned above, this edition of the world cup is going to be a big hit. I hope all the teams fare well and set high standards of skill and gamesman ship through out the next two months. All the best for all ! ! !
