With the Indian Premier League (IPL) having concluded with the most consistent team over its four year existence the Chennai Super Kings emphatically defeating the Bangalore Royal Challengers, the British media has once again displayed remarkable disinterest (with the notable exception of Simon Hughes) in the tournament, despite the coverage on ITV 4.

Despite some misgivings about the quality of some of the cricket played the event provided compelling viewing for those keen to follow cricket on television particularly those averse to signing up to SKY.

Even though a mere handful of English players were contracted to IPL franchises the event is worthy of more attention as the 20/20 format remains popular across the test playing nations, with more tournaments evolving. So what lies behind this disinterest?

On one level the lack of involvement of domestic players is sufficient to switch off the interest of some media outlets, however, more significant is the arrogance evident in many quarters of the English media regarding the value and importance of IPL in terms of the skills acquired by players whilst participating with some of the worlds finest players and learning new skills from senior coaches. It has certainly done no harm to either Eoin Morgan or Paul Collingwood.

Anyone taking a serious interest in IPL 4 will also have been struck by the fact that the most successful players in the tournament have been those most proficient at the 4 and 5 day game, as opposed to those players more inclined to travel the globe in search of the next franchise deal.

The English Counties(and Glamorgan) are keen to sign some of the stars of IPL (finances permitting), however and the domestic 20/20 competition has much to learn from the Indian model particularly if wishes to retain public support with football still dominant on the back-pages.