Fans loyalty for IPL

The cricket is always live due to fans across the borders. We can understand the Indian fans favourite teams but it will be more interesting to look at international fans too.  They say the city-based club format of the tournament where one mixed nationality team plays the other and players are “bought and sold” will take time to grow roots.

One of them is cricket historian Boria Majumdar.

“One cardinal point about cricket craze in India is nationalism,” he said. “Now you have to create fan loyalties based on cities. Do you identify with players or do you identify with cities when supporting a team?”

But advertising guru Alyque Padamsee says this will not stop the tournament becoming a success - he reminds critics that cricket in India began with a communal tournament called the Pentagular series.

“Public memory is short. In the Pentagular, Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Parsis, Christians and the rest played league matches. When I was a kid I used to listen to these matches. They were hugely popular,” said Padamsee, who was born in Mumbai.

“I want to see Mumbai thrash Delhi in the new league. I would watch it. People will support city teams.”

The other big question is will players take the tournament seriously enough?

Popularity: 6% [?]