Monty’s Indian Outlook – Issue 67

Now, this is something I thought I would never write, but tonight at the Navi Mumbai stadium I will watch Bjorn Again and Lionel Richie play live.

This is not because of a recent predilection for Abba songs or soul songs of treacle that ooze down my inner thigh, but because they are both performing at the opening ceremony of cricket’s Indian Premier League (IPL) and I am lucky enough to be attending.

This is the third edition of the IPL and is being shown for the first time on TV in the UK on the ITV network. I advise you to watch it. Sixty matches, 43 days and eight teams. Even if you hate cricket, it is razzmatazz of the highest order. Think wrestling meets Harlem Globetrotters.

After the initial success of the first tournament when huge sums were offered in a players’ auction, last year’s IPL was shifted to South Africa because of those silly old terrorists. Even so, the stadiums were packed.

Tonight it’s back in India and no expense is being spared on the ceremony. Not only do we have the aforementioned acts, UB40 is also playing and Deepika Padukone (my co-star in my recent movie) is doing her Terpsichorean gyrations.

Thankfully, it’s not all cheery song and dance, because life would be drab if everybody was so happy. With some large sums of money abound, dark forces are also at work with some saying the IPL is just a front for organised gambling.

Unlike Sri Lanka where there is a betting shop on every corner, gambling rules in India are vague to such an extent that back-street gambling is rife and run by very organised gangs.

Last year during the IPL, alleged bookie Zahid Miya was killed outside his club in Mumbai and Police are also aware of heavy betting patterns already emerging. The IPL’s exposure on ITV in the UK will undoubtedly send millions more to internet sites such as Betfair.

As somebody who used to be a terrible gambler but gave up seven years ago and also managed betting shops for several years, I understand gambling and how pervasive it can become. It is the worst addiction.

So as reformed gambler, I advise everybody to just watch the game because this form of cricket is great fun. I just hope Lionel Richie doesn’t sing THAT song with THAT video as a backdrop. Actually, come to think of it, that’s not a bad idea.

Monty (709 Posts)

Monty Munford has more than 15 years' experience in mobile, digital media, web and journalism. He is the founder of Mob76, a company that helps tech companies raise money and exit. He speaks regularly at global media events with a focus on Africa, writes a weekly column for The Telegraph, is a regular contributor to The Economist, Wired, Mashable and speaks regularly on the BBC World Service.


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About Monty

Monty Munford has more than 15 years' experience in mobile, digital media, web and journalism. He is the founder of Mob76, a company that helps tech companies raise money and exit. He speaks regularly at global media events with a focus on Africa, writes a weekly column for The Telegraph, is a regular contributor to The Economist, Wired, Mashable and speaks regularly on the BBC World Service.