JOIN USBarthakur said that most of the franchisees were enjoying their tenure with the IPL and that it was an investment to field a team in the Twenty20 league.
“It was an investment which was difficult to define because there are egos and emotions involved. More or less it was emotional but it is an excellent business model. Lalit Modi has made it secure for future by making it a ten year deal,” Barthakur told PTI.
“Like Rajasthan Royals most of the other franchisees are making profit,” he said.
“Through IPL, Modi has made cricket truly international and brought in finances. You see about 60 Indian cricketers would be playing at any point of time in the tournament. More or less whole of the Indian team is active and is also getting match practice,” said Barthakur.
Barthakur was one of the architects of the Wills Cricket Series both National and International in the 80’s and early 90’s and one of the innovators of sponsorship marketing in India. Talking about the performance of the team, he said, “I am satisfied with the way team is performing under Shane Warne’s captaincy and hopefully we will do well in Jaipur.”