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T20 cricket has arguably become the most popular format of the game in the world. Over the last decade, more and more countries have tried to incorporate franchise/domestic T20 league into their calendar year. Investors rush to invest in new franchises as the short format attracts more eyeballs. However, it wasn’t the case more than two decades ago.
Not just purists but players were reluctant about the idea of T20 cricket and shrugged it off as something that was just another experiment. Instead of all the criticism and rolling eyeballs, there was one person who persisted with the idea of a fast-paced format. His belief in the format led to the giant that T20 cricket is now.
It wasn’t a former player or a ‘hungry for money’ businessman but a marketing manager of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), Stuart Robertson. Also, it was not an overnight idea but a conclusion that was ascertained after thorough customer research in England. The research had to be done due to declining ticket sales in County games. International cricket was still flourishing but the football alarmingly decrease as people did not have enough time to sit through the day or watch red-ball cricket.
The research findings
After extensive research, it was clear that the game needed remodeling. While few understood the need for a change, others frowned over the idea of the fast-paced format and did not consider it cricket. In 2001, they managed to get the majority of votes from counties in their favour which set the ball rolling.
Even then, another round of research was done to know what the consumer wants to increase the attendance in stadiums. After all, it all boiled down to revenue. To make it commercial, research over the extra elements that can be incorporated was done. As a result, music, cheerleaders and fireworks became a part of the whole entertainment package T20 will offer.
The trial run
After doing the hard yards off the field, all the innovation would have went down the drain if the players were not on board with the idea. International players were called upon and a two matches between Gloucestershire vs Lashings World XI. Brian Lara, Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Kaif and other cricketers were a part of it.
In these experimental games, Akhtar batted up the order and scored 35 runs in one of the matches in the run chase. Even DLS came into play in the rain-affected game. The only half-century was scored by Ian Harvey, who did not have a single fifty in his international career. Speedsters Courtney Walsh and Akhtar starred with the ball as well and picked up three wickets each.
Birth of a new format
In 2003, the inaugural edition of English county T20 competition took off and the footfall in the stadium increased as expected. Years later, the first T20I was played between Australia and New Zealand. Even though the players did not take it seriously, the inaugural edition of T20 World Cup made them.
Major leagues
The young MS Dhoni-led Indian side winning the World Cup in South Africa gave birth to the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the rest is history. T20 franchise cricket around the world is now a multi-billion dollar industry. Several leagues like BBL, CPL, PSL, T20 Blast have made their name and are followed worldwide.
While players become overnight stars when they get picked in the draft/auction by a franchise, the man who started it all still lives in near-oblivion.
