A blog about something that's the buzzword now. IPL - Indian Premier League.
Adapted in the lines of the EPL (the football league), both in terms of format and the big money involved, the IPL has definitely given a break to domestic cricket in India. Though the English counties have traditionally had foreign players, the T20 format of the IPL makes it refreshing (don't forget the "cheer leaders") ;).
It is indeed great to see players from different countries playing together. I somehow liked this Afro-Asian cup. At least there, the teams were divided on the basis of continents and the players belonging to a team essentially belonged to the same continent. But in case of IPL, except for the icon players, the team selection doesn't have any rationale. It's really exciting to see Dhoni captaining Chennai, Ishant playing for Kolkata, Vaas bowling to Jayasuriya, Warne belting Symonds for 2 sixes in an over ..... This should instill a lot of team spirit in players. For instance, Deccan with a bunch of very talented individuals don't look like a good team and Rajasthan on the other hand are working wonders with a set of spirited youngsters (I know it's too early in the competition to comment!!). As Dhoni rightly pointed out, "the team that gels well will win".
Also, it is exciting to watch the Indian audience cheer for Hayden's fifty while celebrating Ganguly's dismissal, pray that Afridi performs while Sehwag flunks. Even in the wildest of my dreams, I couldn't imagine this happening, but here I was, hailing Oram, Hayden, Muarlidharan and Hussey M :). There are other interesting battles like the ones between, Hussey brothers, Pathan brothers, McGrath Vs Warne etc.
But it's embarrassing to see that the Aussies are out performing others even here. The match winners and the trump cards in all teams are Aussies, three out of the four centuriions so far are Aussies. I am actually waiting for May, when all contemporary Aussie palyers wil get back. Then, there will still be retired (from international) players like Warne, McGrath and Gilly left. I am sure they will have a say in the outcomes of their respective games.
What's best about this entire thing is the amount of exposure that the local lads are getting and the boost for the Indian domestic arena. But care should be taken that India doesn't end up being T20 masters and Test/ODI minnows. That will be really bad for Indian cricket. Well, Imran Khan once said that there are 3 Ts that make a complete batsman - Technique, Temperament and Talent - while the tests test all the 3 Ts, the T20 tests only "Talent" and hence a 33 % batsman can shine in T20s :). But it is definitely a litmus test for the bowlers and some real good bowlers may come out of this exercise.
Before signing off, let me list my favourites in that order - Super Kings, Royal Challengers, Deccan Chargers, Daredevils, Indians, Royals. The South zone bias is there to see (I think it's natural ;) ) and the two missing teams are not there because of their owners :).
As far as the team composition goes I feel DC, DD, CSK and KKR have a fair chance. Yet, cricket is a funny game!!
Wishing the IPL all the very best. I will blog more, when more interesting controversies prop up :)
Cheers!!!!
Adapted in the lines of the EPL (the football league), both in terms of format and the big money involved, the IPL has definitely given a break to domestic cricket in India. Though the English counties have traditionally had foreign players, the T20 format of the IPL makes it refreshing (don't forget the "cheer leaders") ;).
It is indeed great to see players from different countries playing together. I somehow liked this Afro-Asian cup. At least there, the teams were divided on the basis of continents and the players belonging to a team essentially belonged to the same continent. But in case of IPL, except for the icon players, the team selection doesn't have any rationale. It's really exciting to see Dhoni captaining Chennai, Ishant playing for Kolkata, Vaas bowling to Jayasuriya, Warne belting Symonds for 2 sixes in an over ..... This should instill a lot of team spirit in players. For instance, Deccan with a bunch of very talented individuals don't look like a good team and Rajasthan on the other hand are working wonders with a set of spirited youngsters (I know it's too early in the competition to comment!!). As Dhoni rightly pointed out, "the team that gels well will win".
Also, it is exciting to watch the Indian audience cheer for Hayden's fifty while celebrating Ganguly's dismissal, pray that Afridi performs while Sehwag flunks. Even in the wildest of my dreams, I couldn't imagine this happening, but here I was, hailing Oram, Hayden, Muarlidharan and Hussey M :). There are other interesting battles like the ones between, Hussey brothers, Pathan brothers, McGrath Vs Warne etc.
But it's embarrassing to see that the Aussies are out performing others even here. The match winners and the trump cards in all teams are Aussies, three out of the four centuriions so far are Aussies. I am actually waiting for May, when all contemporary Aussie palyers wil get back. Then, there will still be retired (from international) players like Warne, McGrath and Gilly left. I am sure they will have a say in the outcomes of their respective games.
What's best about this entire thing is the amount of exposure that the local lads are getting and the boost for the Indian domestic arena. But care should be taken that India doesn't end up being T20 masters and Test/ODI minnows. That will be really bad for Indian cricket. Well, Imran Khan once said that there are 3 Ts that make a complete batsman - Technique, Temperament and Talent - while the tests test all the 3 Ts, the T20 tests only "Talent" and hence a 33 % batsman can shine in T20s :). But it is definitely a litmus test for the bowlers and some real good bowlers may come out of this exercise.
Before signing off, let me list my favourites in that order - Super Kings, Royal Challengers, Deccan Chargers, Daredevils, Indians, Royals. The South zone bias is there to see (I think it's natural ;) ) and the two missing teams are not there because of their owners :).
As far as the team composition goes I feel DC, DD, CSK and KKR have a fair chance. Yet, cricket is a funny game!!
Wishing the IPL all the very best. I will blog more, when more interesting controversies prop up :)
Cheers!!!!
