Watching English Premier League soccer matches in pubs and bars across Britain may be a big hit but its much-hyped cricket counterpart, the Indian Premier League, which launched its first season today is yet to spark the same mania in Mumbai.

Many watering holes across the city saw little extra enthusiasm and their owners and managers said they had not planned any special promotions or events to ride on cricket’s latest avtaar as they were not sure of how successful the IPL could be in generating additional business.

This comes as a stark contrast to the kind of fervour generated during the cricket world cups, even though the last edition in the West Indies saw India exit very early in the tournament and it ended up being the most disappointing of all the world cups as far as couch potatoes were concerned.

For instance, this time, Café Mondegar on Colaba Causeway has not felt the need to shut those iron doors to prevent uncontrollable crowds from barging in. A waiter just nods his head when asked about any IPL promotion specials, saying, “We have just raised the price of drinks by five per cent or so. There’s nothing special happening, we have a big screen but so far no one has shown interest in watching the match.”

It is the same story at Sports Bar at Regal Circle, Colaba, and at the revered portal of machismo, rock music and tough games, Hard Rock Café, Parel. Friday night crowds at these places comprised mostly office-goers celebrating yet another weekend. A spokesman at Hard Rock said that although IPL

matches are not being screened

yet, they might offer something soon.

The Opium Den at Trident and Marine Plaza’s Geoffrey’s also said they “may” show live matches.

Bandra’s lounge-bar, Olive Bar & Kitchen, has introduced many to the delights of drinking while watching an exciting game or two on their giant projector. But not this time. Restaurateur A D Singh lets us in on what is perhaps eating away a chunk of IPL viewership.

“A club concept is new in India so I guess people don’t attribute much importance or financial feasibility about doing something extra during matches,” he said. “IPL is quite an exciting league, I’m sure matches will be screened with lots of excitement sooner than later.”

As for screenings at Olive, Singh says, “We’re still negotiating with Set Max. In few days’ time, we will have some clarity on that.”

Himanshu Dhorelia, Vice-President for Business Development at Set Max, says, “We have no commercial rights issues with theatres and multiplexes as we’d like everybody to watch the matches. As for screening matches in public places, we haven’t thought about it yet.”