Cricket

Ravichandran Ashwin, India's star spinner, has expressed his concerns about the IPL's rapid growth, stating that it has become so "huge" that cricket sometimes takes a backseat.Ashwin highlighted the challenges faced by players in managing their time between training sessions and advertisement shoots during the two-month-long competition. He reflected on the remarkable evolution of the IPL since its inception in 2008 and emphasized the demanding nature of the player's lifestyle on the road during the tournament."As a youngster coming into the IPL, I was only looking to learn from the big stars, I did not think about how the IPL would look 10 years down the line. I can say that, having been in the IPL for so many seasons, the IPL is huge," he said on the Club Prairie Fire podcast."Sometimes I wonder if IPL is even cricket, because sport takes a backstage (during IPL). It's so huge. We do end up practicing in advertisement shoots and sets! That's where the IPL has gotten to," said Ashwin, who is an important member of the Rajasthan Royals squad.The 37-year-old, who achieved the milestone of 500 Test wickets recently, commenced his IPL journey with the Chennai Super Kings. His impressive performances in the IPL played a crucial role in earning him opportunities to represent India across formats.In 2022, the IPL media rights were secured for a staggering Rs 48,390 crore for a five-year cycle, solidifying its position as the second most valuable league in the sporting world in terms of per-match value, only behind the NFL. This astronomical figure surpassed renowned leagues such as the English Premier League, NBA, and Major League Baseball.Ashwin spoke about his early days in the IPL and how the event exceeded all expectations. "No one envisaged the kind of growth that the IPL has had. I still remember a conversation I had with Scott Styris when we were both at CSK. He told me that when he was playing for the Deccan Chargers in the initial seasons of IPL, he did not think the IPL would last for more than two-three years.""Initially, there was a big influx of money," Ashwin said on the podcast hosted by former England captain Michael Vaughan and Australian great Adam Gilchrist.The IPL's profile has been further elevated by the astronomical deals secured by players during auctions. In the latest auction, Australian pacer Mitchell Starc made headlines by clinching a record deal worth Rs 24.74 crore with the Kolkata Knight Riders. This significant acquisition underscores the league's ability to attract top-tier talent and solidifies its status as one of the most lucrative and sought-after cricket tournaments globally."Look, over the years you'd think that the IPL is one tournament that is largely won at the auctions. I believe the auctions are a very important facet of this league, but the beauty of the IPL is that franchises have evolved into getting their teams right.""There's no one way to skin a cat. No one player is bigger than the team. No one slot is bigger than others. The teams invest wisely," said Ashwin who has also represented Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in the IPL.

The 17th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has kicked off with a record-breaking opening day, attracting an unprecedented number of viewers. According to the host broadcaster, Disney Star, the opening ceremony and the first match drew a massive 16.8 crore viewers.The opening day also witnessed the highest-ever watch-time of 1276 crore minutes, surpassing all previous seasons. Additionally, the peak TV concurrency for an opening day reached a staggering 6.1 crore viewers, indicating the immense popularity of the tournament.Defending champions Chennai Super Kings emerged victorious in the opening match, defeating Royal Challengers Bengaluru by six wickets. The match was played in front of a packed crowd at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.The record-breaking viewership is a testament to the growing popularity of the IPL, which has become one of the most-watched sporting events in the world. The tournament has attracted a global audience, with fans tuning in from over 200 countries.The IPL's success can be attributed to several factors, including the high level of competition, the presence of world-class players, and the exciting format of the tournament. The IPL has also benefited from the rise of digital platforms, which have made it easier for fans to watch the matches live and on-demand.The record-breaking opening day viewership is a positive sign for the IPL, which is expected to continue to grow in popularity in the years to come. The tournament is a major revenue generator for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and has helped to promote the sport of cricket in India and around the world.

Bollywood Glamour Meets Sporting Spirit: Kareena Kapoor Khan and MC Mary Kom Grace Delhi Capitals vs. Royal Challengers Bangalore ClashIn a captivating fusion of Bollywood glitz and sporting fervor, renowned Indian actor-entrepreneur Kareena Kapoor Khan and boxing legend MC Mary Kom graced the electrifying clash between Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.Kareena Kapoor Khan, bestowed with the honor of tossing the coin, received thunderous applause from the enthusiastic crowd as she stepped onto the pitch. Alongside her, Mary Kom, both serving as PUMA brand ambassadors, exuded infectious enthusiasm, cheering for the players and immersing themselves in the pulsating atmosphere from the stands.The star-studded event witnessed the presence of iconic women from diverse fields, including fashion designer Masaba Gupta, Vineeta Singh of SUGAR Cosmetics, and media influencer Faye D'Souza. United by their passion for cricket, they captured the essence of the match through selfies, videos, and images for their social media followers.Mary Kom, a six-time world champion, shared her exhilarating experience on social media, emphasizing the significance of witnessing a packed stadium and the overwhelming support for women in sports. Her caption resonated with the collective aspiration to empower girls and nurture their sporting dreams.The presence of Kareena Kapoor Khan and Mary Kom elevated the spectacle of women's cricket, highlighting its entertainment quotient and the growing influence of women in sports. As the carnival continues to captivate audiences across India, their presence symbolized the fusion of glamour and grit, adding a new dimension to the sporting narrative.