Fans often overreact – that’s the very nature of fandom. But to a degree, they are entitled to. This is for the simple reason that the two most important constituents of the IPL, or any sporting event for that matter, are the players and the fans. Unless the fans watch, there is no IPL. They help the broadcasters make money, encourage the advertisers to spend and make the tournament what it is. They make heroes of the players and create brands of them. The best example was when the Kolkata Knight Riders won the tournament in 2012. Over 80,000 fans made it to the Eden Gardens on a scorching summer day to be a part of the celebrations on the team’s return. If we don’t call that an overreaction and hail the gesture as an act of passion, we should treat their comments after a listless performance in the same manner.
They will vent, for they are upset. They will speak out, for they are frustrated and disappointed. A committed fan is also a vocal fan, and it can’t be that the team will take the good and reject the bad. If we hail their fandom and use his or her praise to highlight the robustness of the brand, we need to take criticism seriously and be accountable. That’s exactly what KKR needs to do at this point. There is little debate the team was utterly listless and outplayed in the match against Rajasthan Royals. As a result, some straight questions need to be asked.
KKR, the management needs to realise, is an emotion for many in Bengal. It is a sentiment that can hardly be ignored. If the management can say “ghar wapsi” at the start of the season, they might as well offer the fans explanations about some of the decisions taken. In business, the shareholders need to be told why certain calls were made. KKR is no different. In a professional franchise, we need transparency and accountability.
Why was Jason Roy made to sit out when he was available? Why did he bat in the middle order in one of the games? Why was Sunil Narine, who has 20 runs and one wicket in the last eight matches, persisted with ahead of Lockie Fergusson? Is it about reputation or form?
Frankly, it was a shock when Eden Gardens turned all-yellow for MS Dhoni. Such a thing can only happen if the city has little connect with the local team. Yes Dhoni is an Indian cricket icon, but to see almost an entire stadium of 70,000 turn yellow was a huge surprise. And at the same time, it wasn’t. In the absence of any players from Bengal and no real face from the city in the support staff, KKR is finding it increasingly difficult to connect with the local fan base. Why is it that KKR did not bid for a single local player despite Bengal doing very well in the Ranji Trophy? Why Vaibhav Arora or Harshit Rana over someone like Mukesh Kumar?
KKR could still sneak into the play-offs, though it’s out of their hands now after this thrashing. For all practical purposes, the tournament is over for them. And that’s when the fans will look back at some of the decisions and ask: ‘Why?’ Why was Ajinkya Rahane not used well last year? Why was Shubman Gill released? As part of the extended KKR family, they need to know. Fans are entitled, for it is their sentiment that has made the brand what it is. If fan passion has helped the brand, it needs to be given its due in troubled times as well.
The KKR management had the fan at the core of their brand campaign. See the tagline, and you will understand what I mean. If that’s the case, they are part of the journey in good and bad. And they can’t just be ignored if the going gets rough. The think-tank can’t just retreat into a cocoon and close the door on the fans. They spend money to go and watch the team play. In the absence of that opportunity with tickets all sold out, they watch the action on television and digital platforms. And most importantly, none of these fans are expected to stop being KKR supporters if the season doesn’t go well.
For the last several seasons, things haven’t gone to plan for KKR. Yet the fans haven’t deserted the franchise. They haven’t switched loyalties. For the first time, this year, we have seen signs. And may I say, it is enough to sound the alarm. If they have remained steadfast in their loyalty, they deserve to be taken seriously and treated with respect. And that’s what makes me say that KKR owes them some answers. Fans are upset and angry because they believe. They have stood for the brand and were committed to it. They deserve better and if that doesn’t happen, we could well see Eden not-quite-purple a few more times next year.