[REPORT] This season IPL has less audience in Kashmir

[MenInG]

Please note below is really an opinion piece based upon author's understanding and should not be taken as fact

==========

This season IPL has less audience in Kashmir

Srinagar, April 08 (Only Kashmir): The sport in every field is above the religious beliefs and without the national boundaries, so is the Indian Premier League (IPL). Despite Bandipora’s Manzoor Ahmad Dar being the central attraction for the IPL audience in Kashmir, however, the strange fact of the matter remains majority cricket fans in Kashmir this year pledged to boycott the league.

Notwithstanding the war of words between the two arch rival country cricketers India and Pakistan initiated by yesteryears cricket star Shahid Khan Afridi over his tweet on the prevailing turbulent political situation in Kashmir, most of the cricket fans in Kashmir taking the side of their favorite cricket team Pakistan have announced on social media sites to boycott the IPL Season 11 as a mark of protest.

Pertinently, Shahid Afridi has said that he would never consider playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in the future even if invited to do so by any of the league franchises from neighboring country. Afridi’s this tweet comes a day after he made remarks on Kashmir situation which triggered strong criticism from his counterparts in India.

With these comments of Afridi, his countless fans in Kashmir took to the social media and extending his support to the former captain of Pakistan Cricket Team and announced to boycott the IPL which started on 07 April.

“Even As A #Cricket Fan I Will Not Watch Any #IPL Match, #Bycott Will U…?” reads a Facebook post of a youth namely Mir Zahoor.

“On a serious note! Pakistani former Captain Shahid Afridi while supporting Kashmiries, boycotts from playing IPL. Being victims of oppression, Can’t we boycott watching IPL to support him for this noble cause?,” writes another youth Aadil Sadiq on Facebook.

Pertinent to mention here, this season of IPL the Kings XI management paid ₹20 lakh for a right-handed batsman and medium-pace bowler, Manzoor Ahmad Dar. He is the second Kashmiri to achieve the feat. (OK)

http://onlykashmir.in/this-season-ipl-has-less-audience-in-kashmir/

 

[Hitman]

Don't watch it, it's your choice.

 

[Spectrum]

Ohh man..Im sure people in pakistan can't digest their food without without talking about IPL..Why don't you leave us alone with our IPL and Kashmir..there are so many other things in the world to discuss like PSl, Babbar Azam, west indies D team, Danish kaneria...

 

[jagatk]

I can't take opinions of idiots who use hashtags on Facebook seriously.

 

[MenInG]

Ohh man..Im sure people in pakistan can't digest their food without without talking about IPL..Why don't you leave us alone with our IPL and Kashmir..there are so many other things in the world to discuss like PSl, Babbar Azam, west indies D team, Danish kaneria...

This is an article from an Indian source; you are free to dispute it with your own thoughts and facts

 

[dhonixi]

Everyone is entitled to watch what he wants. Nothing alarming.

 

[Madplayer]

He is assuming things based on general sentiments these days. Not sure if it would turn out to be a fact if some factual numbers come up. People watch all kind of cricket and leagues.

 

[BreadPakoda]

Its been only 3 games. Too early to analyze in my opinion.

 

[Kashmiri_Pak_fan]

Ohh man..Im sure people in pakistan can't digest their food without without talking about IPL..Why don't you leave us alone with our IPL and Kashmir..there are so many other things in the world to discuss like PSl, Babbar Azam, west indies D team, Danish kaneria...

Bhai I am from kashmir myself, i usually visits this forum 30 times a day...now you can realise how much we kashmir's love Pakistan and pak cricket and for ur kind information i hv never watched an ipl match and u know what? Same is the story of almost 70% kashmir's, nearly 25% folks watchs ipl for entertainment but with no interest and other 05% are indian cricket fans who watches ipl with interest.

 

[Kazim_Pak86]

Can't blame people who have decided to boycott IPL. The way indian media and their social media treated Afridi after a harmless tweet there is widespread sentiment to neither talk about or promote IPL. Geo Super is one such example. Pak sports journalists are also refraining from mentioning IPL, which is surprising for me also.
KAshmiris are not the only one boycotting IPL, Tamilian politicians and actors like Rajini Kanth are also calling upon people to shun IPL due to some Cauvery Dam and water sharing row where the Central Govt. has not formed the Water Management Board as directed by their Supreme Court. There is talk that if Tamilians play in the league they need to wear black arm bands as a protest on the issue.

 

[Usman Chadda]

This is an article from an Indian source; you are free to dispute it with your own thoughts and facts

Your post will fall on deaf ears.

 

[dauntless]

I watch each league cpl bpl NatWest bbl. I used to watch IPL passionately too. Just don't feel connected anymore. Though it does have south African players I support and likes of Trent boult narine Chris lynn Andre Russell,etc.Indians brag about this league so match. It made me lose all the interest.

 

[moghul]

Kashmiris just finished watching PSL, they need a break.

 

[cricketindiafan]

Rather than go by facebook posts, wait for the TRPs to be out.

Manzoor Dar, if and when he does get picked in King's 11, will drive a lot of TV TRP in Kashmir.

 

[cr7great]

Who cares whether they watch or not .
Ipl season will be blockbuster as usual.

 

[Hasan123]

PSL is for Pakistan and IPL is mainly for Indian fans. Not surprised.

 

[rhony]

It took a campaign and a social attempt to make somebody not watch it. That should tell you how appealing the product is. There is not much representation from Kashmir and there isn't even a Kashmir team. All the major power centers in India have a team and a dedicated following even abroad. Shouldn't make an iota of difference if a million people don't watch it when the total viewership is a billion worldwide.

 

[rhony]

I mean seriously, where else are u gonna see a rookie part timer dismissing two best batsmen in our generation Kohli and AB in consecutive deliveries when they are on song and change the game in an instant. It's like Bollywood movies, another major export from India. You are gonna want to watch it and you will eitherway.

 

[m.shah]

I am a Kashmiri and I don't watch it, and 90% don't have any interest in it. If Pakistani players were participating in it then the interest will be there.

 

[rhony]

I am a Kashmiri and I don't watch it, and 90% don't have any interest in it. If Pakistani players were participating in it then the interest will be there.

Now here's why it's a dumb strategy. The success and scale of PSL in the future depends on Indian viewership. In a year or two the viewership of PSL in Pakistan and IOK will saturate and you need growth where it matters. India. There is an interest in PSL in India to a certain extent. I think they even showed PSL in a tv channel this year as per Indian forums

By making this publicity stunt, you will actually hurt PSL as there will be a reciprocating stance from Indian viewers. The television rights for PSL will be renewed soon and it all depends on eye balls in India. At the end of the day, your dumb move will actually hurt the league that u love PSL and won't affect the much bigger league that actually doesn't care much about you considering your province doesn't even have a team and has only 1 player represented in the league. You will be stranded again as in every walk of life.

 

[troodon]

Any Kashmiri players in this IPL?

Even if one plays, there will surely be some interest.

 

[m.shah]

Any Kashmiri players in this IPL?
Even if one plays, there will surely be some interest.

Yes there is one player Manzoor Pandav in the kings 11 squad, if he plays some games there will be definite interest in the whole valley then.

 

[Executioner]

Indian newer generations are losing interest in IPL overall and more interested in football.

Same scenario in our country too. Cricket losing its craze

 

[m.shah]

Indian newer generations are losing interest in IPL overall and more interested in football.

Same scenario in our country too. Cricket losing its craze

LOL.. That will never happen in India.

 

[rhony]

Indian newer generations are losing interest in IPL overall and more interested in football.

Same scenario in our country too. Cricket losing its craze

The latest television right deals indicate otherwise. The interest in IPL and cricket in general hasn't wanted. However, there is a huge interest in soccer and other sports. The growing middle class has a bigger appetite and they can consume multiple sports like in the western world.

 

[cricketjoshila]

I am a Kashmiri and I don't watch it, and 90% don't have any interest in it. If Pakistani players were participating in it then the interest will be there.

90% of what?

 

[MenInG]

Is it simply a case of Kashmiri players not playing?

 

[m.shah]

90% of what?

90% Kashmiris don't find it interesting and barely watch it.

 

[m.shah]

Is it simply a case of Kashmiri players not playing?

There are some other factors also like no pak players in it, but yup lack of Kashmiri cricketers is the main factor that people don't follow it keenly.

 

[Kashmiri_Pak_fan]

90% of what?

Cricket fans

Is it simply a case of Kashmiri players not playing?

No...itz all about supporting...kashmiri's never supported india in any field except nearly of 5% population ...but we are are die hard pak fans especially in cricket.

 

[MenInG]

Cricket fans


No...itz all about supporting...kashmiri's never supported india in any field except nearly of 5% population ...but we are are die hard pak fans especially in cricket.

Why not just appreciate cricket, wherever its played?

 

[Kashmiri_Pak_fan]

90% of what?

Is it simply a case of Kashmiri players not playing?

Cricket fans


No...itz all about supporting...kashmiri's never supported india in any field except nearly of 5% population ...but we are are die hard pak fans especially in cricket.

Eventually it becomes less interested for pak fans...itz not about kashmiri players participation, there are no kashmiri player's in pak team either eve then we follow pak cricket with full of craze.

 

[rhony]

Eventually it becomes less interested for pak fans...itz not about kashmiri players participation, there are no kashmiri player's in pak team either even then we follow pak cricket with full of craze.

Just out of curiosity- Is the cricketing culture similar to Pakistan in Kashmir? U appreciate tear away fast bowlers than batsmen?

 

[Kashmiri_Pak_fan]

90% of what?

Is it simply a case of Kashmiri players not playing?

Cricket fans


No...itz all about supporting...kashmiri's never supported india in any field except nearly of 5% population ...but we are are die hard pak fans especially in cricket.

Why not just appreciate cricket, wherever its played?

We appreciate cricket indeed but as you know how much we hate hate india.

 

[Kashmiri_Pak_fan]

Just out of curiosity- Is the cricketing culture similar to Pakistan in Kashmir? U appreciate tear away fast bowlers than batsmen?

Yeah it iz same....indeed we like fast bowling much but batsmen as well.

 

[Executioner]

The latest television right deals indicate otherwise. The interest in IPL and cricket in general hasn't wanted. However, there is a huge interest in soccer and other sports. The growing middle class has a bigger appetite and they can consume multiple sports like in the western world.

IPL is marketed better but soon football will become significant enough

 

[MenInG]

ok before this gets too far. No Politics pls.

 

[rhony]

IPL is marketed better but soon football will become significant enough

Could be. NFL, NHL, NBA and MLB get massive revenues even though they share the space. Al long as there is appetite and spending capacity, multiple sports can coexist and grow together

 

[Executioner]

Could be. NFL, NHL, NBA and MLB get massive revenues even though they share the space. Al long as there is appetite and spending capacity, multiple sports can coexist and grow together

Cricket can't afford that

Like I said subcontinental kids are starting to move aqqy from cricket

 

[rhony]

Cricket can't afford that

Like I said subcontinental kids are starting to move aqqy from cricket

Cricket can't afford to lose market share in other countries. In India it can unless India starts winning world cups in soccer. Until then soccer will be a solid and growing number 2 with cricket revenues going up as well.

Cricket marketing has now moved on from Mass marketing alone to mass+niche marketing in India. With incomes rising, you will see more of BMWs, mercs advertising and paying big bucks for ads. The entire niche market has just begun and will grow at a frenetic pace as it is still untapped. The mass market will never cease to exist because of the sheer population. The two things that bind Indians, cricket and bollywood will continue their dominance until a viable number 2 pops up.