Its been 4 years since the introduction of one of the biggest commercial tournaments - The Indian Premiere League (IPL). And everyone exactly know how well it has influenced BCCI commercially and helped in uncovering the dormant cricket in the country .
Over the years, the so-called "Talent meets Opportunity" themed venture turned into a circus where the audiences were witnesses to some of the most strangest (even funny) incidents. Not to mention in the stadiums where celebrities are paid to promote their teams and sometimes celebrities try to get promoted through their teams!. Cheerleaders who end up entertaining players and get sent off home for expressing their emotions. Team owners and chairmen who prove to be too human not to be tempted into money and inevitably, controversies. Got to say. IPL definitely spices up more entertainment than it promises.
Amidst all the ball-sucking, finger-pointing and attention seeking, a Team quietly denied all its worldly possessions and climbed on to the centre-stage of the circus. But unlike the Lions which are leashed and tamed to do a bidding, they were independent, ferocious, hungry to perform and win, and had their own unique style of expressing themselves and entertaining the crowd.
After the one-sided IPL 4 finals against the Beer boys, The Chennai Super Kings but extended their quiet consistency to a new cocky high, tightening the grasp around the title Cup, breaking a 1001 records on the way and spewing envy. But all this with the minimum dosage of fuzz. No unnecessary publicity stunts nor the vulturing media attention. CSK had its method of publicity but again in its unique way. Let me break it down.
Cheerleaders : Far from what they were contracted to do. I dont see the po
int in importing girls across countires. Of course some are hot. But all they managed to do was increase audience concentration around the cheering bench and inviting allegations ranging from player distractions to radical mood swings. Honestly, Then why bother flying them here. Chennai were on the right track here in not wasting their investments on foreign goods but at the same time, opening opportunities for upcoming indian cheerleaders.Celebrities : Someone got it so wrong that the inflow of a stadium would increase if you appoint an actress as the team's ambassador. But come on, People arent gonna buy that. They would rather see a Sheila-ki-jawani on TV than getting a long shot glimpse of her Ray-ban-ridden face. Next day the media is more focussed on reporting on the cat fights that ensued, which occu
py even more column space than the match coverage. Chennai in their first year, bought the bait and made their first and worst mistake. Appointing Vijay sent the Chennai team into a downward spiral towards oblivion. It certainly improved the cellphone business as msgs started to circulate connecting Vijay's films and its effects on chennai's perfomance. The owners then realised at the right time that our people are devoted to the team and that they dont need a Vijay or a Shakila to bribe them into the arena. The attraction for the people in Chepauk are the players thamselves and they will support them all the way. No matter how many defeats arise, they would still applaud the team off the pitch, because they know, they believe that they will bounce back. Such is the loyalty. And were rightly rewarded.Advertisements : Its True that sponsors have the right to publicize through the players. But please, opening a contest inviting people for ideas on improving the team? Massages and poking bubble sheets? Probably they were unhappy with the coach and. Clearly it sends out the wrong view of the team. Chennai's official song became the anthem across the state. Millions of fan videos arise each year. Every kid in the city wants to have with him a yellow jersey. "Whistle Podu" is now the slogan of the franchise. Dhoni now has more fans than Vijay or Ajith. Never has a match in chepauk been without full house. What better publicity does a franchise need.
No IPL has ever been completely smooth. Thorns always arise. Controversies, scandal, rift have become integral ingredients.
Perhaps Chennai is one of the few teams that never landed into any controversy. May be its because of the Team's calm with MSD at its helm and the fans support.
Of course I'm a Chennai fan and hence all the above are in reference with it. But you definitely need an inspiration to appreciate your team and feel proud for.
