Monday, June 2, 2008

The Future of the IPL

The 1st edition of the Indian Premier League is over and talk of the 2nd tournament is already doing the rounds.

There will be a number of changes that will be discussed during the next 10 months leading to the next edition of the IPL.

More international players will be drafted in, players, English players will come in or atleast Pieterson definitely would, there maybe 5 foreigners in the playing XI, some captains may change, and a number of players will be traded.

Exciting stuff that but has anyone thought about the leading global brands that may want to be a part of the PL bandwagon?

DLF and Citibank were prominent in their advertising during the 1st edition.

New and innovative ways were found for advertising as well with every six being termed as a "DLF maximum 6" by the commentators, while every good piece of fielding or a wicket or a catch was coined as a "citi moment of success".

What if brand leaders such as Nokia, Microsoft, Coca-Cola, and others want to be a part of the IPL.

Have you thought of what we would be put through?

That was a McDonald's Maiden bowled by McGrath.

Marsh drives that for another Coca-Cola boundary.

And Sohail Tanvir has another wicket with one of his trademark American Express Yorkers.

What a wonderful Durex Push through the covers. That has to be a Citi moment of success!

Steyn has disturbed the furniture. Surely a BPL bowled.

Balaji has another Microsoft Hatrick here! A Louis Vuitton LBW, a BPL Bowled, and a Cisco caught behind!

Hayden has Pepsi Pulled that for a Coca-Cola boundary. This would be a nightmare for the sponsors.

Sehwag has just smashed a Ford Front Foot Driven Four. I'd like to see the commentators say that 6 times in an over!

Sreesanth goes up again in a KFC Zinger Appeal. The umpire wasn't interested in the Louis Vuitton LBW.

That was a beautiful Samsung Stumping by Gilchrist.

We have another Range Rover Run Out effected by Dilshan.

The Yahoo Man of the Match for tonight is Shane Watson.

Jayawardene and Sangakkara have put on 50 for this Intel Partnership.

Mohammad Yousuf has played a sweetly timed Google Cover Drive.

Symonds gets his 2nd Calvin Klein Century of the IPL!

And that ladies and gents is the future of the DLF, BPL, Nokia, Coco-Cola, Microsoft, Apple, Pepsi, Banana IPL.

Make your pitch on this post...



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14 Pitched:

  1. Anonymous said...
     

    What makes you think this won't happen in test matches or ODIs? As a matter of fact, it is already there. I am probably one of the few who has actually listened to an Indian *radio* commentary in the recent past, thanks to my sister who refuses to buy a TV. It was an amazing experience. There was an interruption after every over and every boundary. Every four and sixer was apparently sponsored by BSNL and so you had "BSNL chauka/chakka" interrupting the commentary every now and then.

  2. Anonymous said...
     

    Apologies for the follow-up, but a google search for "bsnl chauka" yielded the following:

    "radio ads are no far behind, try listening to a cricket match commentry and u get hit by such insanities in the commercial beraks "zindagi ki crease par suraksha ke saath kheliye", "aur ye BSNL chauka connecting India, "aur ye BSNL sixer, connecting India", and one of the worst "duro singh"- for some plywood company."

    Try the google search yourself :-)

  3. SledgeHammer said...
     

    I'm a realist, and I understand the need for commercialization and advertising - that's what sports is all about today, whether we like it or not.

    But c'mon, there have to be some limits. I only watched IPL highlights on youtube (before they were removed), and could not believe Shastri et al screaming "DLF Maximum" and "Citi Success" - it's sickening!

    Seriously, I don't think you are too far off with your suggestions, Q. It might be reduced to that.

    It reminds of this one movie - "Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani", with Juhi and Shahrukh. In the movie, there was an execution taking place, and it was made a media spectacle, with every part of it being sponsored.

    Let's just hope we don't hear a commentator say: "The batsman stands tall like Viagra, and delivers!"

  4. Pontings_baldspot said...
     

    what about when Bhajji slaps sreesanth again next year - "Bhajji connected well on his Suzzuki slap on Sreesanth"

  5. Q said...
     

    Thanks for enlightening us Anon, I didn't know that. Haven't heard radio commentary since I don't even remember.

    But I can see how painful it must be..

  6. Q said...
     

    I'm with you Sledge..surely ads and commercialization are required but this is definitely pushing it..

    I remember that movie - good analogy.

    Speaking of Viagara, the commentators were going on with such innuendos in the final - jamming, ramming, etc.. Homer can tell u more if he drops by...

  7. Q said...
     

    Suzuki slap!? Hahaha..

  8. Anonymous said...
     

    well, I'm waiting for the gutka, pan masala, betel leaves, bidi, underwear, floor-cleaner, bindis etc making their debut.

  9. Trideep said...
     

    Q,
    We surely had a lot of commercialisation in this IPL. However if it goes to the extent to which you have mentioned, it would be sad for the game. Imagine commentators actually saying what you have written. I would definitely watch every match on mute. I guess even the commentators would prefer to quit their jobs.

  10. Miss Field said...
     

    An Andrew Symonds Calvin Klein century.

    Food for thought.

  11. Q said...
     

    Beedi jalayki chakka maara eh Som?

  12. Q said...
     

    Im with you Tri..

  13. Q said...
     

    MF, CK also manufactures perfumes and suits and ties ;-)

  14. Miss Field said...
     

    I'll take the lot.

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