In the final clash of the ICC World Twenty 20 it seemed as though a role reversal had taken effect. Sri Lanka looked like anything but a side that had won all its matches and Pakistan looked like a team born to winning ways. Despite choosing to bat, only the Sri Lankan captain Sangakkara managed to impress as the others were unable to withstand Razzaq's skill and buckled under the attack without scoring the runs required for a defendable target. Afridi continued to display deadly form as he confounded the Lankan bowlers and eased Pakistan past the winning post. Match ratings (All India, C&S15+, Star Cricket) soared to 3.7%, not only higher than the ratings garnered by India's matches against Ireland and South Africa, but also the highest figure for a non India match. Good cricket always appeals to fans as was proved by the highest net reach (All India, C&S4+, Star Cricket) achieved by any match in the tournament – 21 million! As Pakistan was crowned the official T 20 champion, the combined viewership (All India, Individuals 4+) of Star Cricket and Doordarshan also touched its peak at a jaw dropping 38 million! Cumulative eyeballs (All India, C&S4+, Star Cricket) for the entire tournament, at 351 million, displayed a massive jump of 122% over the final figure for the 2007 edition – 158 million. The advertisers truly made much more of the opportunity than did the Indian team as can be seen by the 50% increment in Total FCT secondage, from 42,000 in 2007 to 64,000. Yesterday's contest was the finale of a world class event and the viewership metrics confirmed that status.

With their semi final win against West Indies, Sri Lanka have kept up a perfect track record at the ICC World Twenty 20. Dilshan was yet again the torch bearer for the Lankan innings with a brilliant, unbeaten 96 off 57 balls – the highest score for the tournament. His was the only noteworthy knock with the other batsmen in the team struggling to perform. The West Indies' innings featured three consecutive ducks as they lost three of their top order batsmen to Mathews in the first over itself. Gayle was the sole batsmen to show resistance till the very end as all the remaining batsmen fell to Mendis and Murali without even achieving double figure scores! As Sri Lanka readied the pitch for a place in the finals, match ratings (All India, C&S15+, Star Cricket) were 1.9%. The combined viewership (All India, Individuals 4+) of the live telecast on Star Cricket and Doordarshan was an astounding 24 million. Cumulative eyeballs (All India, C&S4+, Star Cricket) expanded to 330 million and total FCT secondage climbed to 60,000 seconds. What spectacular heights will the final figures reach? Will cricket lovers in India embrace a non India final match? Keep watching this space for more.

Despite an uncertain start and inconsistent performances, Pakistan was the only team among the last edition's semi finalists to reach the semis this year. And after ending South Africa's flawless run at the tournament yesterday, they have earned themselves a chance to blot out the memories of the 2007 final. With his stunning knock consisting of 8 fours Pakistan's maverick batsman, Afridi, reminded all those who had written him off, of how dangerous he can be. Even a batting behemoth like South Africa could not handle the bowling efforts of the Pakistani unit, which featured another star turn by Afridi. Match ratings (All India, C&S15+, Star Cricket) ascended to 2.4%, twice the ratings of 1.2% for the first semi final clash of 2007, which was also a non – India match, and close on the heels of the figure (2.5%) achieved by India's final match at the 2009 edition. 25 million viewers (All India, Individuals 4+, Star Cricket & DD) watched with special interest as title favourites were eliminated by India's sworn adversaries. However India playing in the semis of the Women's World Cup did not tempt viewers much, evidenced by ratings (All India, C&S15+, Star Cricket) of 0.6%. Cumulative eyeballs (All India, C&S4+, Star Cricket) soared to 317 million, up by 121% from 144 million in 2007 and total FCT secondage jumped by 45% over last year to 58,000. Will the second semi final also strike a chord with the viewers? Keep watching this space for more.

After winning all their Super Eight matches, Sri Lanka has achieved a well deserved semi final spot. In the first match of day 12, the pooled efforts of Dilshan, Jayawardene and Sangakkara gave Sri Lanka a good score to work with. However it was Mendis who was the star of the day, crippling the New Zealand batsmen with his superb bowling. As they lost all their wickets with 3 overs to spare and missed the target by far, ratings (All India, C&S15+) remained at 1.0% and net reach (All India, C&S4+) was nearly 10 million. The last Super Eight contest saw India pitted against title favourites. With the exception of de Villiers, the Indian bowlers were able to contain all the batsmen, restricting South Africa to a modest total. Yet again India was let down by the batting, which disintegrated as Botha, van der Merwe and Steyn had a field day. Nearly 26 million viewers (All India, Individuals 4+) watched on Star Cricket and Doordarshan as India lost its third consecutive match, while ratings (All India, Star Cricket, C&S15+) settled at 2.5%. Total FCT secondage shot up to nearly 56,000 displaying an increase of 46% over the first season's figure of 38,000 seconds. Will advertisers find greater value in women's cricket? Will viewers catch up with women's cricket as India plays in the semi finals of the ICC Women's World Cup tomorrow?

Though the Indian team has been edged out of the ICC World Twenty 20, there is good news for the advertisers. At the end of 22 matches, total FCT secondage is nearly 51,000 registering a considerable jump of 51% over 2007's corresponding figure of nearly 34,000 seconds. In the first match of day 11, riding high on their assertive win against New Zealand, Pakistan registered a comfortable win against Ireland and sailed through to the semi finals. Despite an impressive performance by Ireland's bowlers, who conceded only 6 extras, Pakistan scored 159 buoyed by Akmal's runs. Porterfield tried to anchor Ireland's innings but was taken out by Ajmal, who proceeded to pick up 3 more wickets wiping the opposition out. Match ratings (All India, C&S15+) were 1.0% as 11 million viewers (All India, C&S4+) watched Pakistan accomplish what India could not.The next clash would decide who, between England and West Indies, would qualify for the semis. Bopara played a key role in taking England to a fighting total, as most of the other batsmen did not deliver as expected. However West Indies' target was reduced to 80 off 9 overs via Duckworth Lewis, after rain accosted the match following England's innings. As Sarwan and Chanderpaul clinched the match for West Indies, ratings (All India, C&S15+) were 0.9% and net reach (All India, C&S4+) was 11 million. With the semis and final coming up, will advertisers continue to evince interest in the tournament? Keep watching this space to find out.

Where Dilshan failed, Jayawardene stepped in and scored his highest in 20 – 20 internationals. The former captain steered Sri Lanka's innings to a respectable total in the face of Ireland's tight bowling. Cusack led the attack, bowling a brilliant spell where he picked up 4 wickets and conceded only 18 runs off 3 overs. Porterfield and Niall O' Brien then attempted to achieve the required run rate but Malinga and Mendis foiled all such attempts. 15 million viewers (All India, C&S4+) watched this clash, nearly equaling the highest reach for a non India match and as Ireland crashed out, ratings (All India, C&S15+) were 1.7%. Even hordes of supporters screaming themselves hoarse could not inspire India to win the next match of day 10. Harbhajan and Jadeja ensured that England's innings ambled along and never really picked up pace. However the void created by Sehwag's absence was palpable as the Indian openers were unable to kick start the innings and last ditch attempts by Dhoni and Yusuf Pathan to salvage India's cause, proved to be futile. Hopeful fans watched for signs of a comeback as was evident from the second highest ratings (All India, C&S15+, Star Cricket) of the tournament, 4.8%, and the highest time spent (All India, C&S15+, Star Cricket) so far - an hour and 5 minutes. Nearly 32 million viewers (All India, Individuals 4+) followed India's elimination on Star Cricket and Doordarshan. With India's match against South Africa being its last, how will viewers respond to India's absence from the tournament?

Though the Lankan openers laid the foundation for a splendid innings, Pakistan's bowling squad made sure that none of the batsmen could capitalize on the great start. After a quick loss of 3 wickets in the first 5 overs, Younis Khan and Misbah set up a steady partnership, threatening to steal the game away from their opponents. However Malinga and Murali soon regained their rhythm and the batting came undone. As Pakistan's morale took another hit, ratings (All India, C&S15+) rose to 2.5% and net reach (All India, C&S4+) swelled to nearly 15 million – the highest figure for a non India match so far. Indians also faced the same fate as their arch rivals, in the next match of the day against West Indies. Yuvraj Singh and Yusuf Pathan held the fort for India to some extent but fell to Edwards and Bravo before they could cause irreparable harm. Bravo returned with the bat to haunt India and sealed the game in the favour of his team. " A whopping 32 million viewers (All India, Individuals 4+) watched in disbelief on Star Cricket and Doordarshan, as the defending champions lost their first match in the tournament. Ratings (All India, C&S15+) shot up to the highest figure for this edition of the 20 – 20 World Cup, 5.3%, which is also higher than all the ratings achieved by the previous edition, barring the final match. Will exciting Super Eight matches continue to be crowd pullers?

Plagued by injuries, New Zealand called upon Redmond to open for them in their first Super Eight match and Ireland had to bear the brunt of his bat's fury. He carried New Zealand's score to 198 together with Guptill and Styris, thus making his T 20 international debut in style. Mills and Nathan McCullum then reduced Ireland's batsmen to rubble causing a setback to their World Cup aspirations. This match achieved ratings (All India, C&S15+) of 1.2% and net reach% (All India, C&S4+) was 7.5%. South Africa continued to dominate the field in the next match of the day. The bowlers, noticeably Parnell, restricted England to a low total and Kallis after pitching in with the ball, also scored the runs required to cross the target. As England registered their second loss in the tournament, ratings (All India, C&S15+) were 1.6% and net reach% (All India, C&S4+) climbed to 9.0% with almost 13 million viewers watching the match. In the 2007 Twenty-Twenty Championship while none of the non – India matches garnered ratings of more than 1.0%, this year all such matches have consistently delivered higher ratings as well as reach, emphasizing greater audience interest. With cumulative eyeballs (All India, C&S4+) already at 164 million, more than twice the 80 million figure for its predecessor at the same stage, how far ahead will this tournament go? Keep watching this space for more.

Going in to the Super Eights, it must have been a welcome relief for Sri Lanka that their star opener finally fired and how! Jayasuriya’s glorious 81 off 47 balls, amply supported by Dilshan resulted in a formidable target for the West Indies, who sorely missed Gayle as the required run rate mounted. Not only did they lose by 15 runs but were also fined for a slow over rate! As Malinga and Mendis struck yet again, ratings (All India, C&S15+) were 1.9% and net reach% (All India, C&S4+) was 9.4%. The rain delayed the next match but could not prevent the inevitable. In the 18 overs per side contest Ireland’s batting just crumbled, largely due to Zaheer Khan’s excellent efforts. Rohit Sharma continued to display fine form and it was just a matter of time before India barged to the top of Group A. Nearly 24 million viewers (All India, Individuals 4+) rejoiced in India’s victory aired live on both Star Cricket and Doordarshan, propelling ratings (All India, C&S15+) to 3.4% on Star Cricket. With the battle of the Super Eights commencing today will the audience’s response climb to the next level as well? Keep watching this space.

After their assertive win over England everyone expected Netherlands to repeat the feat against Pakistan. However they were unable to cope with the pressure and succumbed to Pakistan's wiles. On the other hand, Pakistan reaped the benefits of reworking their batting order and in the next innings, Ajmal and Afridi with their haul of wickets pushed Netherlands past the point of no return. As Pakistan made it to the Super Eights, ratings (All India, C&S15+) were 1.3% and net reach% (All India, C&S4+) was 8.7%. South Africa defeated New Zealand by the skin of their teeth in what was the last Group D clash of the tournament. The New Zealand bowlers did their job by restricting the Proteas to a mere 128 runs but none of the batsmen delivered except for the stand-in skipper, McCullum, and the black caps ended up losing by just 1 run! With Scotland already out of the picture, both teams qualified for the next stage and ratings (All India, C&S15+) climbed to 1.4% while net reach% (All India, C&S4+) was 8.6%. Will the numbers for India's next match today bear more good news for the tournament? To find out, keep watching this space.

Bangladesh are out of the reckoning for the ICC World Twenty 20 - courtesy Ireland. In the Associate team's first game of the tournament and also their first against a professional side in the T20 format, they leveraged their strengths to perfection. The O'Brien brothers not only performed with the bat but also contributed in the wicket taking department. Ratings (All India, C&S15+) garnered by this match were 1.4% and net reach% (All India, C&S4+) was 8.0%.

In the next match, Australia seemed to be on shaky ground from the moment they lost the toss to Sri Lanka and went in to bat. Malinga and Mendis spearheaded the bowling attack and prevented the Aussie innings from truly taking off. The Sri Lankan captain, Sangakkara, led from the front and together with Dilshan finished off what the West Indies had begun – the process of eliminating Australia. So as the doyens of international cricket beat a reluctant retreat from the tournament ratings (All India, C&S15+) shot up to 2.9%, the highest figure for a non India match so far, even when one considers the 2007 championship! This contest also attracted nearly 15 million viewers all over India (C&S4+) which is the highest tally for the tournament. Will non India matches continue to evince keen interest? Watch this space for more.

As South Africa played their first match in the tournament against Scotland it became obvious why they are one of the top contenders for the title. An unbeaten 79 off 34 balls by AB de Villiers and contributions by Kallis and Smith led to the highest total so far. It was then the bowlers' turn to rip the Scots apart with only Coetzer registering a decent score among the batsmen. As Scotland crashed out of the ICC World Twenty 20, ratings (All India, C&S15+) were 1.0% and net reach (All India, C&S4+) was 6.8%. In the next match, England was definitely rejuvenated by Kevin Pietersen's presence as his sublime knock saw them beat Pakistan by 48 runs. Stuart Broad redeemed himself with an effective bowling spell and only Younis Khan seemed to pose a challenge to the bowling attack. As England almost ascertained their place in the Super Eights, ratings (All India, C&S15+) climbed to 2.2% and net reach (All India, C&S4+) climbed to 9.1% with almost 13 million viewers tuning into the match. With the coming matches to decide which teams will qualify for the Super Eight stage, will viewership continue to build? To find out, keep watching this space.

Day 2 saw the rain threatening to wash away the first match of the day between Scotland and New Zealand at the Oval. The match was then reduced to a 7 over contest between the two teams, where Coetzer shone with the bat for Scotland. However Ryder and Taylor ensured that the black caps won the match with an over to spare. It delivered ratings (All India, C&S15+) of 1.0% while net reach (All India, C&S4+) was 3.9%.

In the second match of the day, Australia batted first setting a respectable target of 170 for the West Indies. But from the moment Gayle and Fletcher stepped on the field all it rained at the Oval, were sixes! The runs just blazed off their bats and the match was wrapped up in barely 15 overs. As the duo hammered the bowlers relentlessly, ratings (All India, C&S15+) were 1.7% and net reach (All India, C&S4+) climbed to 8.7%.

The inaugural match of the ICC World Twenty 20 played at the Lord’s, drove home the unpredictability of the T 20 format. In a surprising turn of events the hosts, England, went down to the rookies of international cricket, Netherlands, demonstrating the very reason that this condensed version of the game is widely accepted by the masses. England started well enough and scored a defendable target but fielding mishaps and persistence with the bat by de Grooth and ten Doeschate, led to the Dutch emerging victorious. This blow to England’s morale delivered ratings (All India, C&S15+) of 1.1% and was watched all over India by 8.6 million viewers (C&S4+) which translated into net reach% (All India, C&S4+) of 6.1%. With team India playing its first match today will the viewers support its bid to retain the World Cup?