IPL's hidden, hungry fanbase

Reports of the IPL’s dwindling popularity in Season 2 are grossly untrue - just ask the prisoners in Kolkata’s Alipore Central Jail, who have gone on a hunger strike in protest against not being allowed to watch the tournament. The protest by the 500 prisoners began after guards rejected their demands, on the grounds that the matches are being broadcast on a private channel - security concerns allow only state-run television to be shown in Indian jails. In the gloom there is good news, though: The prisoners can count themselves lucky they missed Kolkata Knight Riders’ abysmal performance on Sunday. And as for the IPL suits, they now know whom to tap if the ratings fall.