Indian Premier League shifts base to South Africa...

IPL, the Indian Premier League which had a very successful run last year is back, but with its own baggage of changes!! A shock wave gripped the nation recently when it was officially declared that the chosen destination for the players to play 20-20 DLF IPL series this year is South Africa.

Reason for the shift of base from India is that the Government could not provide security to the national and international cricketers along with team representatives from the entertainment and business worlds because of the on going general elections in India.

So what do our cricket buffs from the telly world have to say about this shift? Will IPL have a successful reign this year too?

Let's discuss..

Aamir Ali:

IPL will go overseas now, mostly South Africa. Your comments.
It's sad and basically it's all politics. BCCI and the politicians are involved in it and this fact is known by everyone.

Your thoughts on our Government decision?
Its all internal politics as I said, and both are equally involved in this. So all are aware whether it is the right decision or not.

Do you think IPL this year will turn out to be unsuccessful because of the shift of base?
Compared to last year, I think so but surely it won't be a flop. When playing in our own country, it's all together a different feeling, like Mumbai Indians playing at Mumbai will miss all the backing and support from the localites.

Even if we gain with more TV viewership will we not lose out on the huge ticket sales that were sure to happen in India?
Looking at the revenue, definitely it won't be huge tickets sale, but surely people will be glued to their television sets as soon as the matches start.


Jennifer Winget:

IPL will go overseas now, mostly South Africa. Your comments!!
It shouldn't be called IPL now, but SPL... South Africa Premier League (smiles).

Your thoughts on our Government decision?
Well definitely Government has thought of something and then taken the decision, and I don't think I should comment on that.

Do you think IPL this year will turn out to be unsuccessful because of the shift of base?
I hope that does not happen because India is a cricketing country and the place where the game is played does not matter so much. If IPL is not taking place here, they will surely watch it on television.
 
Even if we gain with more TV viewership will we not lose out on the huge ticket sales that were sure to happen in India?
I totally agree that the ticket sale would be less and people would be watching it at home. The people who are willing to watch it from the stadium will be deprived of the advantage.


Sukriti Khandpal:

IPL will go overseas now, mostly South Africa. Your comments.
IPL has shifted venue due to security reasons and also monetary reasons. When the other country can afford all facilities, then why not go ahead with that??
 
Your thoughts on our Government decision?
I don't know why politicians (Modi) are making hulla hoo of this. IPL will always be Indian and I think we should be sportive enough and accept such decisions made by the Government. The security of players lies on the shoulders of the Government, and we can't put that on stake.

Do you think IPL this year will turn out to be unsuccessful because of the shift of base?
I don't think so as there are lots of people who are involved in it. There are players from other countries too and people down here will also watch the matches on their television sets as they used to.
 
Even if we gain with more TV viewership will we not lose out on the huge ticket sales that were sure to happen in India?
Well over here I would just say that one cannot compare revenue of tickets with the lives of cricketers. Even if we loose revenue we are rest assured that the whole cricketing fraternity playing IPL have good security, isn't it?


Anand Suryavanshi:
 
IPL will go overseas now, mostly South Africa. Your comments.
I would say, it is better than nothing. Having IPL again is the best decision even if it is played outside India.

Your thoughts on our Government decision?
In fact, the Government and BCCI knows things better, so I don't want to comment on this. They have taken their decision and they must be having a valid reason for bringing about this change.
 
Do you think IPL this year will turn out to be unsuccessful because of the shift of base?
I can't really predict on this. The first season was undoubtedly very popular but I can't say anything about this season.

Even if we gain with more TV viewership will we not lose out on the huge ticket sales that were sure to happen in India?
I don't think it will affect much as a very recent report showed that 90 percent of people watch IPL on TV.

Jay Bhanushali:
 
IPL will go overseas now, mostly South Africa. Your comments.
I am personally very disappointed. I could not make it to the matches last year, so was gearing up for stadium action this time. I am very sad that it is now moved overseas. IPL is very interesting as it is only a 3 hour game, and am sure many will miss action.

Your thoughts on our Government decision?
I won't blame them as they are also right with the elections coming up. Entire security is in their hands and election is more important than a game of cricket, and high security has to be provided for that.  
 
Do you think IPL this year will turn out to be unsuccessful because of the shift of base?
Definitely the games will not see a houseful crowd abroad. So I doubt that it will be as exciting as last year, but let's see what response it will get. 

Even if we gain with more TV viewership will we not lose out on the huge ticket sales that were sure to happen in India?
Frankly India is quite popular when it comes to cricket. If IPL is in England then it will be houseful because there are more Indians there and cricket is loved by all. If it is in South Africa, then I am not sure.

Akshay Sethi:

IPL will go overseas now, mostly South Africa. Your comments.
I would have preferred that IPL was in India, because after a hectic day we could have at least caught up with the match by going there.

Your thoughts on our Government decision?
I think it was a wrong decision to go out of India. It is IPL and it had to take place in India.

Do you think IPL this year will turn out to be unsuccessful because of the shift of base?
It won't be unsuccessful because cricket lovers will definitely watch the games. But I would have loved it if it was in India.

Even if we gain with more TV viewership will we not lose out on the huge ticket sales that were sure to happen in India?
Obviously the revenue will suffer as there are many people in India waiting to watch IPL.