It is now pretty well known that notwithstanding Lalit Modi’s claims of 90 per cent of tickets for the IPL having been sold, most of the matches are being played in front of less-than-full stadia in South Africa. Of course, this state of affairs has not pleased the IPL bosses who have reportedly (according to some sources inside the IPL camp) issued “guidelines” to cameramen to do the following:

1. Swing to cheerleaders every time a boundary is scored or a wicket falls.
2. Absolutely avoid any footage of empty stands
3. Inform sections of the crowd that the camera will be on them and encourage them to wave and shout when it is.
4. To focus on fans dressed in IPL team jerseys whenever possible.

The cameramen seem to be following these instructions to the letter, making one wonder if this is cricket or a choreographed tamasha!