NEW DELHI: As the next edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) draws closer, innovative plans are afoot to make the Twenty20 extravaganza bigger and better than before.
The league's new commissioner, Rajeev Shukla, has a few surprises up his sleeve, like a contest between Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe and Sachin Tendulkar, F1 drivers Jenson Button andLewis Hamilton playing a 'Super Over' and a team owners' tournament.
"We've witnessed an increase in IPL spectator numbers. Last season, 160 million people watched the event and 200 countries watched IPL on www.timesofindia.com. There were 72 millions hits on the TOI website, an increase of 79 per cent," said Shukla, during an interaction with TOI.
The IPL and franchise owners are collaborating to ensure that all facets of this year's tournament, from technical issues influencing the quality of cricket to entertainment and glamour quotient, keep the fans glued to the growing format.
"We are factoring in elements we hope will make IPL more exciting for viewers. There is a proposal to start an owners' league - 10 overs a side contest. Watching Shah Rukh Khan bowl to Vijay Mallya would be interesting," remarked Shukla.
A Super Over for celebrities from India and abroad, is also under consideration.
"We're trying to involve top stars from other sports, like Usain Bolt. A Super Over between Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter protagonist) and his idol Sachin Tendulkar is something many Indians will find riveting viewing. We'd love to stage a Button vs Hamilton Super Over match too."
Having said that, Shukla emphasized that IPL isn't only about glamour; the matches will be the main eye-ball grabber.
"We have planned the opening ceremony of the IPL a day before the first match. We don't want the match to be affected by the ceremony," he explained. "There won't be official night parties from the IPL side. If teams wish to stage parties, it's their call. But they'll have to keep in mind the schedule of their players and certain guidelines," he added.
To make the game more thrilling, arrangements are being made to create high-scoring pitches. "We are expecting on an average over 150 runs in 20 overs. Each IPL venue will have three earmarked pitches. The BCCI ground and pitch committee will monitor the event closely. The best curator will be given an award of Rs 50 lakh," said Shukla.
"I am of the opinion that everything should be planned. I have told franchisees that we should all avoid leaving anything for the 11th hour," Shukla said.
The league's new commissioner, Rajeev Shukla, has a few surprises up his sleeve, like a contest between Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe and Sachin Tendulkar, F1 drivers Jenson Button andLewis Hamilton playing a 'Super Over' and a team owners' tournament.
"We've witnessed an increase in IPL spectator numbers. Last season, 160 million people watched the event and 200 countries watched IPL on www.timesofindia.com. There were 72 millions hits on the TOI website, an increase of 79 per cent," said Shukla, during an interaction with TOI.
The IPL and franchise owners are collaborating to ensure that all facets of this year's tournament, from technical issues influencing the quality of cricket to entertainment and glamour quotient, keep the fans glued to the growing format.
"We are factoring in elements we hope will make IPL more exciting for viewers. There is a proposal to start an owners' league - 10 overs a side contest. Watching Shah Rukh Khan bowl to Vijay Mallya would be interesting," remarked Shukla.
A Super Over for celebrities from India and abroad, is also under consideration.
"We're trying to involve top stars from other sports, like Usain Bolt. A Super Over between Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter protagonist) and his idol Sachin Tendulkar is something many Indians will find riveting viewing. We'd love to stage a Button vs Hamilton Super Over match too."
Having said that, Shukla emphasized that IPL isn't only about glamour; the matches will be the main eye-ball grabber.
"We have planned the opening ceremony of the IPL a day before the first match. We don't want the match to be affected by the ceremony," he explained. "There won't be official night parties from the IPL side. If teams wish to stage parties, it's their call. But they'll have to keep in mind the schedule of their players and certain guidelines," he added.
To make the game more thrilling, arrangements are being made to create high-scoring pitches. "We are expecting on an average over 150 runs in 20 overs. Each IPL venue will have three earmarked pitches. The BCCI ground and pitch committee will monitor the event closely. The best curator will be given an award of Rs 50 lakh," said Shukla.
"I am of the opinion that everything should be planned. I have told franchisees that we should all avoid leaving anything for the 11th hour," Shukla said.
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