We want to change peoples perception about IPL

Rajiv Shukla has taken over as Indian Premier League chairman at a time when the T20 event is grappling with a number of problems.

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Rajiv Shukla has taken over as Indian Premier League chairman at a time when the T20 event is grappling with a number of problems. The TRPs have been falling steadily over the years,the handling of Kochi team fiasco has generated negative publicity and last but not the least,the league is being cited as one of the reasons behind Indias debacle in England. In an interview with The Indian Express,Shukla talks about his plans of revamping the brand IPL. Excerpts.

Why is it that the IPL is blamed whenever the Indian team doesn8217;t do well? Is that a matter of concern for you?

That is one perception we want to change,although it will be a challenge to change the way so many people think. Why can8217;t we see the positives? The IPL has made a huge difference to domestic players8217; lives. Because of it,their lifestyle has changed,they can now buy homes and their future is more secure than ever before.

Speaking of players8217; welfare,hasn8217;t the latest Kochi fiasco left all team members in the lurch? What is the IPL going to do about that?

The players don8217;t have to worry,their interests will be protected. We will take care of players,as we have been doing for the last four years. The governing council will be meeting next month and we will see what step we need to take.

What I can tell you is that the BCCI will make sure that each and every player gets his dues. We have encashed Kochi8217;s bank guarantee as well. If any player is up for re-auction,for example Muttiah Muralitharan who was sold at Rs 5 crore to Kochi and a new team buys him for a lesser price,then the IPL will pay the difference. Players won8217;t lose anything.

What are the lessons that IPL has learnt from the Kochi fiasco?

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There is nothing to learn from it. It was done because they the franchisee violated the rule. It8217;s just people8217;s perception that we did wrong.

Are you in favour of a permanent window for the IPL,so that players from every country can take part in the tournament?

We have always maintained that it is a domestic tournament. The idea behind IPL was to give our players the best platform to showcase their talent. As such,it will be tough to find a permanent window and the ICC also considers the IPL as one of India8217;s domestic tournaments.

Are the falling TRPs a worry for you?

The broadcasters were happy with the way the things went last year. This year,the IPL happened just after the World Cup,because of that,maybe,certain matches didn8217;t attract high viewership,but overall,as per the report,it was satisfactory.