Thursday, April 17, 2008

IPL

Today IPL will begin its inaugural match amid huge expectations. I have always believed that the idea if having a Twenty20 league is
a novel idea. The Twenty20 match is over in 3 hours as opposed to a test match that takes 5 days. T20 appeals to the majority of the audience who do not have the patience and love for the game to watch a test match. Also, T20 is an easier version for new audience to begin watching cricket. It will help the spread of cricket in countries with no exposure. In its current state a game that is played over an entire day is not an attractive option for people to consider watching.

The idea of IPL is born from the Indian Cricket League (ICL) idea started by Zee supremo Subash Chandra. There are many potential good things that come out of IPL and ICL. The opportunities available to cricketers have multiplied and so has the spending on cricket. There is lot of investment into advertising especially with eight huge teams working on their promotions, apparel and what not! This can only be good for the associated industries. Of course BCCI will have to interfere in some areas and screw it up. I have always hated the way BCCI monopolizes cricket in India. The way the media is being treated is a case in point. It is utterly ridiculous that an organization of the stature of BCCI can be allowed to behave that way! For more on this read 1, 2

Now coming to the games, I am yet to pledge my allegiance to a particular team. This will be a difficult thing. I mean I am used to supporting India, may be Hyderabad in Ranji and the underdog in other matches. Now, there is no team based on region pretty much because the players are not from regions. I have one reason to support Delhi - Sehwag. Apart from that may be Hyderabad. Lets see how that goes!

List of players to watch out for (rather I will watch out for):
Among the lesser know batsman - Brendon McCullum, Dimitri Mascarehnas
Of course I will hope Viru clicks!!

Among the bowlers lets see how McGrath and Warnie will do!!

To predict the winner would be very difficult until you get a look at all the teams playing and that will mean lot of time waste for me. I hope to watch IPL sporadically. Lets see how that goes


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