Dhumal feels the house and away video games will lend a hand groups immensely in construction a fan base and the board needs to take that step with out losing any longer time.
“Well begun is half done. It has been a great beginning for WPL and going forward it is going to be much better than what we have seen so far. We have started with five teams but going forward there is scope for an additional team given the pool of players that is going to come in the years to follow.
“We are hoping to extend the choice of groups however for the approaching 3 seasons it is going to stay 5. We are indisputably having a look on the house and away structure, we will be able to see which period slot is to be had making an allowance for India’s world dedication and take a decision.
“From a fan engagement point of view it is very important that we go for a home and away format,” Dhumal stated whilst chatting with PTI.
The first ever WPL grew to become out to be a success amongst enthusiasts and avid gamers however because the match used to be staged inside of tricky timelines and proper after the Women’s T20 World Cup, the BCCI determined to prepare the entire video games throughout two venues in Mumbai.
Fans grew to become up in sizeable numbers to look at the video games at Brabourne and DY Patil Stadium. The tournament had garnered huge consideration even ahead of the primary ball used to be bowled with the groups rights fetching BCCI just about Rs 4700 crore and media rights Rs 951 crore.
“It has been a phenomenal ride so far and quite a challenging one given the time slot we had to start the WPL. We are satisfied with the way things have progressed, we did not have much of window as the World Cup was there and the The girls had just about a week to come back and start.
“Everything (media rights, staff rights, participant public sale) took place one by one however the way in which the match used to be won, it used to be extra special,” Dhumal stated.
One reason for not introducing a sixth team right away could be the lack of quality local talent. The world’s best displayed their exemplary skills in the competition but leaving aside Saika Ishaq, Kanika Ahuja and Shreyanka Patil, not many uncapped Indian players were able to turn heads on.
“Our nationwide staff has completed really well during the last couple of years. U-19 women received the World Cup. Given how the WPL used to be won, we’re very hopeful that we will be able to have a larger pool of avid gamers and their health and fielding same old will make stronger immensely going ahead.”
Three out of five teams are owned by legacy IPL franchises, who have seen the value of the men’s league reach astronomical proportions.
When can the WPL franchises break even?
“As a long way as breaking even is worried, those that have invested their cash, they have got plans in position. Our plan is to generate cash and plow it again into the sport and get a larger and higher pool of avid gamers for India.”
Dhumal said it was also important to give players from associate nations an opportunity in the WPL. USA’s Tara Norris played in the inaugural edition.
Teams can pick as many as five overseas players in the playing eleven but the fifth one will have to be from an associate nation.
“This is an international tournament. It isn’t India centric. We have given one slot to affiliate international locations which can lend a hand the sport develop globally. And their avid gamers did smartly too.”
‘IPL: TV remains relevant but there will be more takers for digital medium’
The two-month long IPL began last week following a record media rights deal that fetched the board a staggering Rs 48,390 crore. The board sold TV and digital rights separately for the first time and that proved to be a masterstroke.
TV rights holder Star and digital rights owner Viacom are jostling to give an improved viewing experience to the fans.
“The sport has to innovate for everybody. Everything concerning the sport has to revolve across the enthusiasts. The concept used to be to make it extra enriching for the enthusiasts. We had a unique set of auctions (for media rights), now we have two wonderful companions .
“A lot of market needs to be captured as far as the global audience is concerned. We will reach out to the fans globally,” stated Dhumal.
Considering the virtual revolution happening in India and world wide, will TV stay related?
“Digital is changing the landscape so there will be more takers for digital but given the depth and reach of the television it still has a great market in India,” he added.
‘Introduction to Impact participant’
Dhumal added that the creation of affect avid gamers within the IPL and groups being picked after the toss used to be completed to mitigate the toss merit.
“We have seen dew play a major role. Winning the toss is seen as an advantage and to mitigate that we thought to introduce ‘Impact Player’ and give the teams a chance to pick teams post toss so they can pick the right eleven,” he added.
(With PTI inputs)