Long live IPL

I was not a big fan of IPL. Though very opulently mounted and very high on entertainment quotient, I thought it to be the very antithesis of what the real cricket was all about – strategy, it’s relaxed execution, patience, demonstration of techniques, pitches that supported pacers on the first morning and spinners on the last two days et al. Then slowly I started seeing some merits in this gala festival. Lots of cricketers who were talented but unable to make it to the national team got a platform to showcase their talent. Presence of international cricketers of repute helped these players hone their skill by learning finer nuances of the game. And we were spoilt for choice of players- especially for the shorter version of the game.

And this year’s event, which is yet to come to its zenith, the finals being on Sunday the 28th of this month, has almost made me it’s diehard fan. On one hand, we have two boys from very humble backgrounds- Yashasvi and Rinku, making it right to the top, on the other we have seen the blossoming talent of already established lads like Shubhman, Ruturaj, and Devdutt Padikkal . And I really envy the selectors who are going to have hard time picking up the eleven for any of the three formats. Claimant for pacer’s position in team are Shami, Siraj, Umran, Arshdeep, Deepak Chahar, Thakur, Natarajan, not to speak of redoubtable Bhuvi and re-emergent Ishant. For spin department, apart from lead spinner Ashwin, we have Chahal, Chahar, Bishnoi, Brar and not to mention all rounders like Krunal Pandya. For wicket keeping, while Dhoni and Wridhiman Saha refuse to get old, Jitendra Sharma, Anuj Rawat and Sanju Samson only complicate selector’s job. And if I start making mention of batters here, the blog will become too lengthy!

The only concern is that overindulgence in this funfair should not dilute real cricketing skills of our players in any manner as I read somewhere that purists were expressing concern at the possible lack of adequate preparation for the World Series scheduled for the first week of June against redoubtable Australia. Hopefully, our worthy boys will get over the razzmatazz of IPL immediately to focus on the ensuing important tournament.

For about two months IPL provided unbridled joy in the evenings and this year matches were very closely fought. There’s a bit of emotional quotient also in the play around IPL’s hero Dhoni hanging his boots after this years event! Let’s hope he continues to provide delight to his fans for one more year, which seems eminently possible looking to his current form and fitness.