If there is any true enemy of the soap operas in Indian television, it is undoubtedly cricket. And if it is something as exciting, entertaining and nailbiting as the IPL matches, there is no doubt about it having a killer impact on the serials. Last time it had a tremendous impact on ticket sales at different multiplexes and ad sales for different serials. This time, since the tournament is being organised in South Africa, the impact is expected to be even bigger. More so, considering the plans MAX has for broadcasting IPL.

Unveiling their plans for IPL in a press conference held in Mumbai, Sneha Rajani, EVP & Business Head, MAX, said, “We will have Extraaa Innings which has been a path breaking show around MAX’s big ticket cricket events. We have pioneered the innovative mix of cricket and entertainment through the show. Apart from this, we also have on board Shankar Ehsaan Loy’s chartbusting composition as the opener to Extraaa Innings T20 and of course our fresh line-up of dynamic presenters.”

The list of presenters for IPL Season 2 is quite impressive and includes Indian Idol-contestant-turned anchor Meiyank Chang, Sameer Kochhar (he hosted IPL Season 1 as well) and Gaurav Kapoor (VJ and presenter). Needless to say, Mandira Bedi will be the co-host for Extraa Innings and add to the glam-quotient of the show! This time the anchors will be present at the ground mostly.

A unique attraction for this season of IPL will be a theme song set to tune by Shankar Ehsaan Loy. Says, Shankar Mahadevan, “Cricket is religion in India. We have tried to compose a score that is truly reflective of the country’s passion for the sport. It’s a fun song, all about celebration and highly charged emotions."