MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli to face each other in the United States
In an effort to spread the popularity of the glitzy IPL among Indian diaspora, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Mumbai Indians and Rising Pune Supergiants might be playing exhibition matches in the United States. According to a Times of India report, the three franchises have expressed their desire to play matches in the country where there is a significant Indian and South Asian population.
The initiative would definitely be a crowd-puller, with Indian Test captain Virat Kohli and limited-overs skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni pitted against each other.
"The matter is expected to be discussed at the IPL Governing Council in Bengaluru before start of the final match tomorrow. The venue is tentatively Houston," a BCCI official was quoted as saying.
The official also added that the dates are yet to be decided. "However, the dates need to be chalked out. Earlier, it was being discussed it would happen in the window available between India's tour of Zimbabwe and West Indies. But it could now be held in September also.
"All three teams are expected to play against each other. Obviously, major attractions will be Kohli and Dhoni," the official added.
Also read: Reports: BCCI wants to hold mini-IPL in September
According to the report, Houston is one of the centres under consideration to hold the matches. "Houston is one centre that has been zeroed in as it having multiple centres will be a case of logistical nightmare for a short trip of exhibition matches."
It would be an opportunity for the BCCI to test waters in the international market, especially in the US, which has been untapped so far.
"In the US, T20 is the only game that can be marketed because of its duration. If we have to squeeze in a Mini-IPL next year, this is the time to send the popular franchises like MI, RCB and check what's response of NRIs and Indian diaspora.
"If the response is good, we can think about expansion. We can also harbour hopes that sponsorship market in the US will open up."
A T20 league, especially for the Indians living abroad, could be an exciting prospect, as it was seen in the All-Stars cricket tournament which was held last year in the US. The two teams, led by legends Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warne, had several stars like Kumar Sangakkara, Sourav Ganguly, Virender Sehwag, Ricky Ponting and Wasim Akram.
In 2014, the first half of the IPL held in the UAE at three different stadiums also garnered a good response from cricket fans in the middle-east.