A low-key IPL is not good news for the league

For the league to survive, IPL 5 must draw more fans and profit in its second half, says Desh Gaurav Chopra Sekhri in the Indian Express.

If initial projections had remained consistent, by season five one would have expected the league to have exponentially increased its collateral revenues, especially gate receipts and merchandise. But one fears that the IPL is still clubbed with or compared to other entertainment properties. If that fear becomes a reality, it will soon be considered a seasonal reality show with dwindling popularity as the novelty factor wears off, much like the Indian Idol model.