Will the IPL suffer a dip in interest because of the first phase being held in UAE?
11-Apr-2014
Yes
The IPL buzz that normally sets in in India will be absent until the second leg of the tournament beings. The attendance in UAE is also unlikely to match the numbers normally seen in India.
No
The IPL is a made-for-TV spectacle, and the timing of the games in UAE will be ideal for fans from India to tune in. UAE's expat population will support the tournament, and interest levels in India will also be quite high by the time the second phase begins.