LONDON, July 12 (IANS): India might be knocked out of the 2019 World Cup in the first semi-final in Old Trafford on Wednesday (it was a two-day affair with rain interruption taking the game into Wednesday), but it is not going to impact host broadcasters Star much as the advertisement slots had been sold as a package for the knockouts.
Speaking to, sources in the know of developments at Star said that inventory was sold for the entire duration of the showpiece event and special package involved all the knockout games and not individual ones, so the revenue generation would take a very marginal hit.
"Inventory is sold for the entire tournament and all three knock-outs as a package so it makes a difference only to the tune of 5 to 6 per cent and not more than that," the source said. But what Star is more bothered about is the viewership now that India will not be playing at Lord's on Sunday and it will be hosts England taking on New Zealand. "It obviously means the viewership of the final will be significantly lower given that India is not playing. It will possible be half or 1/3rd," the source added.
A poor display of batting in slightly overcast conditions saw India lose the game against the Kiwis.
Meanwhile, the ball used on June 16 for the World Cup match between India and Pakistan has been sold for Rs 0.15 million (1.5 lakh).
According to officialmemorabilia.com, which is selling memorabilia related to the ongoing World Cup, the ball has been sold for $2,150.
The coin used for the toss in the India-Pakistan match has been sold for $1,450 while the scoresheet has fetched $1,100.
Off all the World Cup memorabilia being sold on the website, 27 are related to matches involving India. But only three of them are still available for sale: the scoresheet ($400), the coin used for the toss ($350) and the match ball ($850) used during the semifinal against NZ.
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