T20 - an Architechtural Innovation

Soporific, easy going and devoid of continuous ROB(rush of blood) factor. Difficult of imagine a popular game with these characteristics in the world. Cricket was a game which exhibited all the above mentioned characterstics, while managing to be the extremely popular in some parts of the world.

T20 changed all that. Cricket is now exciting, agile and full of ROB. This format is sure to take cricket to a newer level as it will surely find takers in countries like US, EU and elsewhere where investing 7 hrs for one ODI was just asking for too much. The overall sustenance of Excitement throughout the innings of the game is one thing which is new for many Indian sports fan who have been fed on usual doses of long cricket matches.

T20 is a perfect example of how architechtural innovation can uproot a long standing institution. The essence of an architectural innovation is the reconfiguration of an established system to link together existing components in a new way. In the past we have seen how architechtural innnovation has changed the rules of the game of business. A classic example is Xerox, who had to reinvent itself to meet the threat from Japan's Ricoh and Canon Xerox used to lease huge photocopiers ,which were extremely cosly to buy,to its clients and had a huge sales force to sell the lease to its customers. Ricoh and Canon made small copiers which were cheaper and hence could be bought easily by customers. Over 15years the market share of US copiers fell from 80% to 13%. Ricoh and Canon simply made small changes in the technology to create smaller copiers. Nothing radical as such, still a huge impact.

T20 has done a similar thing to cricket. While the play remains essentially the same, format has been changed which has made it such an exciting game to watch.

Inspite of restricted scope, cricket is probably the most technology intensive sport. Use of high frame rate cameras, using technology to take decisions, use of hawk eye etc. has indeed lended a charm to the game. This will go down very well with the audience in the developed country.Hope T20 cricket worldcup 2020 sees 32 participating teams.