Bhogle said that the ‘episode on the auction stunned the cricket world; money was supposed to be just for footballers.

“Few people liked the auction as it was. Cricketers were being likened to cattle,” Harsha Bhogle said.

“Accountability came with cricket,” said Manish Porwal, CEO, Percept Talent Management.

Unlike other leagues like English Premier League which evolved with time, IPL was invented in one year.

Selection of the teams were very subjective. Players like Ricky Ponting were paid like a B-grade Ranji Player.

IPL is cricketainment, says Porwal

“The sponsors did not know where to default, they didn’t know where to pitch, whether it was the Indianness that would give them the eyeballs or something else,” said Porwal.

Chennai Super Kings used its money wisely. They have put themselves in a very good position. Their team composition is very good and they have players from every country; if someone leaves, the place is filled immediately.

“CSK is a winning team with a winning captain and a lot of money that can be put behind the team,” said Ashok Malik, a noted journalist.

“T Thushara and George Bailey are players that can make a difference in the team,” Harsha said.

CSK’s Head of Marketing, Rakesh Singh spoke on the show about how franchisee has helped the teams grow.

“Franchisee’s model is developing as we go along because internationally one depends on merchandising and gate collections, but in India, it is a combination of merchandising, gate collections and a lot of sponsorships, advertisement and promotions.CSK is both cricket and business. It has been a part of the India Cements Company’s passion.” said R Singh

“Dhoni is an icon player without being an icon player, he initially gave the team a pan-Indian identity in addition to a Chennai identity because Dhoni is a rockstar,” said Malik.
Source – espnstar.com