The high-scoring encounter between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) attracted a record number of 2.4 crore viewers at one point as the users saw the game live on JioCinema. Also, huge following with superstar statuses of MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli and their star studded teams helped in bringing eyes on the match.
https://twitter.com/mufaddal_vohra/status/1648020190465245184?s=20 Viewership
Previously, the game between Chennai and Rajasthan Royals held the record with 2.2 crore viewers watching at the same time but the ‘Southern Derby’ broke all the digital viewership records and created history with more than 400 runs in display during the game.
Free Streaming Attracting A Huge Viewership
Huge viewership of 2.4 crores can be judged from the fact that the final match of the 2019 season recorded the highest on Disney Hotstar at 18.6 million but IPL 2023 is currently in its league stage and as of now, JioCinema has broken all the previous records. As the IPL moves towards the finals, the number of viewers on Jio-Cinema seems set to touch new highs. The company claims that millions of new viewers are connecting to IPL daily through its streaming app.
The BCCI has given the TV and digital broadcasting rights of this Tata IPL season 2023 to different companies. Digital is seeing its direct benefit as Jio-Cinema is streaming IPL matches for free. This has further helped in record high IPL’s viewership on the digital platform.
Jio-Cinema is creating records in terms of sponsors and advertisers as well. Top global and Indian brands are gravitating towards JioCinema. Leaving TV behind, Jio-Cinema has also tied up with 23 major sponsors.
Both Teams Smashed Runs But RCB Fell Short
The run-fest saw Chennai win the game by just eight runs after putting 226 runs on the board in the first half of the game. Devon Conway and Ajinkya Rahane put up an impressive show at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium as CSK posted 53 runs in the powerplay. Conway overall accumulated 83 runs off just 45 deliveries while Rahane scored 37 runs off 20 deliveries.
Shivam Dube took the matter into his own hands after Rahane’s dismissal, hitting 52 runs off 27 deliveries. The Southpaw hit a 111-meter six in the match, which remains the second-highest in the IPL 2023 so far. Later Moeen Ali and Ambati Rayudu too played quick cameos and helped the four-time champions post a healthy total on board.
While chasing, RCB lost the wicket of Virat Kohli in the first over itself while Mahipal Lomror walked back to the pavilion in the second over. RCB were under tremendous pressure but nevertheless, skipper Faf du Plessis and Glenn Maxwell stood up brilliantly to bail the home team out of a difficult situation.
Du Plessis ended up posting 62 runs off 33 deliveries while Glenn Maxwell hit 76 runs off 36 deliveries. The duo tried their best to finish the game on its terms but unfortunately fell short by just 8 runs. RCB also fell in the end scoring just 4 runs in the 18th over and lost their third game of the season. They are now seventh on the IPL Points Table while CSK are third.
