IPL format may change next year, may copy NBA model

[Nova]

NEW DELHI: The Indian Premier League (IPL) looks set for a drastic change in format next season, with teams likely to be divided into two groups to prevent cramming too many matches in too few days. With 10 teams instead of the current eight, continuing with the current format would have meant playing 94 matches instead of the current 60, a prospect that was giving organisers the jitters, given the fact that the tournament would still have to be restricted to about seven weeks. To get over this problem, BCCI bigwigs have informally discussed two alternative two-group formats for the league stage in their last meeting on May 17 and sources said the board would discuss the issue with the IPL's governing council in June. One suggestion is to split the 10 teams into two groups, each of which will follow the current home-and-away round-robin system. The top three teams from each group would then advance to a Super Six stage, where each team will play the three teams from the other group, at home and away, to determine the semi-finalists. This would keep the total number of matches to a manageable 62. There is, however, a huge downside, which is making the proposal unattractive to franchisees -- the four teams which do not advance to the Super Six stage end up playing just eight league matches and just four at home. The other proposal deals with this downside by drawing upon the National Basketball Association (NBA) model, which has a format that ensures all teams play each other in the league phase despite having divisions. The 10 teams would still be broken up into two groups. However, while each team would play the other four in its group twice, once at home and once away, it would also play each team from the other group once. The top four teams at the end of this process would then advance to the semifinals. Thus each team would get a minimum of 13 matches, even if it does not go beyond the league stage. Also, every team would play every other team at least once, thereby doing away with the possibility of two popular teams never clashing, a scenario that the organisers and broadcasters would clearly like to avoid. The five matches of each team with those from the other group, the proposal suggests, could either consist of two home matches, two away matches and one on a neutral ground or three home matches and two away matches in one year followed by two home matches and three away in the next year. If either of these proposals is accepted by the IPL governing council, it will be put up for the franchisees to discuss followed by ratification at the BCCI's working committee. If everything falls into place, IMG, which has been involved in conceptualising and running the IPL, will be forced to work on a league structure that could suit a 52-day window next year. Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, an IPL governing council member, had told Times Now recently, "We can look at this (the problem of too many matches in too little time) and see how we can reduce matches. I think there is a need perhaps to review that. But it will be very difficult now to reduce the number of teams. THE 2 NEW POSSIBLE IPL FORMATS - The 10 teams will be split into two groups, each of which will follow the current home-and-away round-robin system. The top three teams from each group will then advance to a Super Six stage. Only 4 matches for those who don't qualify. - To placate those who don't qualify and hence play less games, the BCCI might borrow an idea from the NBA in the US: Divide 10 teams into two groups, with each team playing the other four in its group twice - once at home and once away - and also playing each team from the other group once. Ensures at least 13 matches for all teams. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/iplarticleshow/5960169.cms -------------- We don't want 90+ matches....60 will do just fine

[Serani]

Would prefer 90 fixtures so the people realise IPL sucks.

[Nova]

Would prefer 90 fixtures so the people realise IPL sucks.

People would still watch it :cantstop:

[Serani]

I know for the recent edition of IPL I was engrossed in the first half of the tournament then it all seemed to blur together there were so many games, I cannot understand how people will actually watch 90 games in such a short space of time.

[Nova]

^ No one watches all games. You zone in and out....but the huge cricket loving population of India ensures that there is enough audience at any given time.

[IKnowU]

The only NBA thing about this is that they are split into 2 groups. The teams dont even play against the team on the otherside unless they make semis unlike the NBA. Whatever you do, you have to make every team play against each other at least once.

[vvvslaxman]

Ideally they should play 100 games. Nice round figure.

[Three'sACrowd]

Why not make it all year round? At any moment, 24/7/365, there could be an IPL game going on. Random people could casually walk into and out of teams and games. The local panwalla, chaiwalla, etc. Sorta like a continuous mohalla game. Heck, perhaps everyone who wants to could get a game. Everyone will be famous for fifteen minutes, like Warhol said.

[IKnowU]

I dont understand why the people behind IPL dont make it a season long affair? They can easily have weekly games and over 90+ games each season without pissing off anyone. The sponsors are gonna be happy, the audience wouldnt since they dont get IPL shoved up their throat 24/7. the stadiums are more likely to be packed. The clash between international cricket can easily be avoided with IPL team roster having plenty of international talent, so that when a few players are busy playing for their nations , the other international bench can come in and take over while the main players are busy.

[IKnowU]

I dont understand why the people behind IPL dont make it a season long affair? They can easily have weekly games and over 90+ games each season without pissing off anyone. The sponsors are gonna be happy, the audience wouldnt mind since they dont get IPL shoved up their throat 24/7. the stadiums are more likely to be packed. The clash between international cricket can easily be avoided with IPL team roster having plenty of international talent, so that when a few players are busy playing for their nations , the other international bench can come in and take over while the main players are busy.

And the quality of the IPL would increase with teams having plenty of time to prepare and rest between matches.

[zen]

I like to keep it simple: 10 teams divided in to two groups. Top two teams from each group makes it to the semis :--D The franchises may want more games from business PoV but a shorter tourney with focus on quality cricket will offer better value to the fans. With less games with higher quality of cricket will leave a sweet taste in most people's mouth and fans would eagerly want to look for more action which means looking forward to the next IPL! With such enthusiasm for IPL, it will only touch new heights!

[ludhianvi]

Many have suggested this two group idea which IMO is a good one as 90+ games are quite a lot.

I dont understand why the people behind IPL dont make it a season long affair? They can easily have weekly games and over 90+ games each season without pissing off anyone. The sponsors are gonna be happy, the audience wouldnt since they dont get IPL shoved up their throat 24/7. the stadiums are more likely to be packed. The clash between international cricket can easily be avoided with IPL team roster having plenty of international talent, so that when a few players are busy playing for their nations , the other international bench can come in and take over while the main players are busy.

But by doing this, you risk the scenario where some players may prefer IPL over international cricket duties as they get paid for their availability during the course of the IPL season. Not sure fans want the IPL to last the whole year either, it could be a drag.

[vvvslaxman]

They better get rid of international T20 if possible. T20 should be restricted to clubs.

[graphic23]

I wish they followed the policy of the Indonesian Premier League, which, wisely chose not to exist.

[Mamu]

NEW DELHI: The Indian Premier League (IPL) looks set for a drastic change in format next season' date='[b'] with teams likely to be divided into two groups to prevent cramming too many matches in too few days. With 10 teams instead of the current eight, continuing with the current format would have meant playing 94 matches instead of the current 60, a prospect that was giving organisers the jitters, given the fact that the tournament would still have to be restricted to about seven weeks. To get over this problem, BCCI bigwigs have informally discussed two alternative two-group formats for the league stage in their last meeting on May 17 and sources said the board would discuss the issue with the IPL's governing council in June. One suggestion is to split the 10 teams into two groups, each of which will follow the current home-and-away round-robin system. The top three teams from each group would then advance to a Super Six stage, where each team will play the three teams from the other group, at home and away, to determine the semi-finalists. This would keep the total number of matches to a manageable 62. There is, however, a huge downside, which is making the proposal unattractive to franchisees -- the four teams which do not advance to the Super Six stage end up playing just eight league matches and just four at home. The other proposal deals with this downside by drawing upon the National Basketball Association (NBA) model, which has a format that ensures all teams play each other in the league phase despite having divisions. The 10 teams would still be broken up into two groups. However, while each team would play the other four in its group twice, once at home and once away, it would also play each team from the other group once. The top four teams at the end of this process would then advance to the semifinals. Thus each team would get a minimum of 13 matches, even if it does not go beyond the league stage. Also, every team would play every other team at least once, thereby doing away with the possibility of two popular teams never clashing, a scenario that the organisers and broadcasters would clearly like to avoid. The five matches of each team with those from the other group, the proposal suggests, could either consist of two home matches, two away matches and one on a neutral ground or three home matches and two away matches in one year followed by two home matches and three away in the next year. If either of these proposals is accepted by the IPL governing council, it will be put up for the franchisees to discuss followed by ratification at the BCCI's working committee. If everything falls into place, IMG, which has been involved in conceptualising and running the IPL, will be forced to work on a league structure that could suit a 52-day window next year. Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, an IPL governing council member, had told Times Now recently, "We can look at this (the problem of too many matches in too little time) and see how we can reduce matches. I think there is a need perhaps to review that. But it will be very difficult now to reduce the number of teams. THE 2 NEW POSSIBLE IPL FORMATS - The 10 teams will be split into two groups, each of which will follow the current home-and-away round-robin system. The top three teams from each group will then advance to a Super Six stage. Only 4 matches for those who don't qualify. - To placate those who don't qualify and hence play less games, the BCCI might borrow an idea from the NBA in the US: Divide 10 teams into two groups, with each team playing the other four in its group twice - once at home and once away - and also playing each team from the other group once. Ensures at least 13 matches for all teams. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/iplarticleshow/5960169.cms -------------- We don't want 90+ matches....60 will do just fine

Something I had mentioned long before. (not sure if I posted it on this forum) -- but had definitely discussed that with my friends. I am extremely good at predicting future of cricket. Next time place your bets where I do -- and become an instant millionaire !:winky:

[achilles]

This is good. Seems like ICC's World Cup schedules can be modeled on IPL's lines :winky:

[mastana]

Something I had mentioned long before. (not sure if I posted it on this forum) -- but had definitely discussed that with my friends. I am extremely good at predicting future of cricket. Next time place your bets where I do -- and become an instant millionaire !:winky:

Same here. :two_thumbs_up:

[someone]

Am I the only one who thinks this solution will create more problems at least politically. When you divide the teams into groups, which basics you use. Do you make it northie vs southie, if so it could become politically

[IKnowU]

Am I the only one who thinks this solution will create more problems at least politically. When you divide the teams into groups, which basics you use. Do you make it northie vs southie, if so it could become politically

How? Its just by pure geographical region? How will it create political tensions? This happens evertwhere. Its not something new.

[saneindian]

Didn't MAK Pataudi say that the number of matches will have to be relooked at from next IPL onwards. Why cant they get don with this in 3-4 weeks instead of dragging it for 7 weeks. Someone needs to tell them that quantity doesn't mean more money. Have a 3 week long tournament with reduced number of matches with focus on cricket alone, will result in more viewer interest and hence more money for everyone concerned.