A look back at the moment when the IPL blurred the lines between stadium and screen
The Indian Premier League has paved the way for innovation, revolutionising T20 cricket, attracting massive player bids, and transforming the sport into a prime-time spectacle. As IPL 2025 approaches, it is time to reflect on the league's bold technical advancements.
Imagine watching a game where the ball soars towards you, the crowd erupts, and the players seem within reach. This became a reality in 2010 with the inaugural 3D broadcast of the IPL, a pivotal moment that brought stadium intensity to multiplexes across India.
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As fans prepare to flock to the stadiums to witness IPL 2025, let us look back at the year when the tournament became cinematic—when it evolved from merely a game to an immersive experience.
T20 cricket transformed the game, but in 2010, the IPL aimed to further engage spectators through 3D screenings. The then IPL Commissioner, Lalit Modi, championed this initiative, announcing that the last four matches, including both semi-finals and the final, would be shown live in select theatres across India.
The concept was to recreate the thrill of a packed stadium in theatres, with each six appearing to soar directly into the audience's laps.
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IPL collaborated with a California-based 3D technology firm to bring this idea to fruition. Scrabble Entertainment and UFO Moviez facilitated live 3D broadcasting, transmitting high-definition matches. How did they achieve this?
The technology behind the 3D telecast was as captivating as the cricket itself. Special 3D cameras captured the action from various angles and relayed signals to a satellite for multiplex delivery.
At Mumbai's Inox, fans eagerly donned enormous 3D glasses. The toss provided the first glimpse, with Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni appearing strikingly realistic.
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This was a completely new universe for people who had only watched cricket on television. The depth was astounding. The scorecard illuminated, the ball sped towards you, and when a bowler approached, it felt like he charged at the crowd. Fans quivered when a bouncer was bowled—it was immersive.
But it wasn't solely about the ball. The 3D camera angles offered a unique perspective. Low-angle shots placed viewers on the pitch, and zoomed-in graphics conveyed a sense of being in the stadium.
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3D cricket was groundbreaking, yet it had its faults. The horizontal camera panning was sluggish, causing quick motions to feel less fluid, and certain advertising boards appeared overly saturated with bleeding colours.
Additionally, the 3D glasses were large and cumbersome, requiring viewers to frequently adjust them during exciting moments. Another drawback was the expense. The ticket cost ₹1,000, including a refundable ₹300 for the glasses.
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Though imprecise, the IPL's 3D venture was a bold step towards demonstrating that cricket can be a genuine experience. Fans adored it, with 3D screenings boasting a 35% higher occupancy rate than their 2D counterparts.
Has 3D cricket become the norm? Not exactly. While the technology holds promise, broadcasting has shifted towards Ultra HD and VR. Nevertheless, for those who experienced it, IPL 2010 marked a historic chapter in cricket's journey, a time when the game truly captivated its fans.
