Come home IPL

An event that captivated the spirits of the entire nation, an event which rewrote the business rules, an event that accumulates the world on one stage, an event of dream that we all love, the Indian Premier League, will begin its 3rd edition in its homeland offering diverse cricketing exposure one for all, may it be the players, the owners, the staff’s or the followers.

The IPL is an incarnation of the English Premier League, which the football world is crazy about, has made a deep inroad into the cricket devotee like us. Thanks to Mr Modi for his flagship effort to begin the tournament, as big as it has been, in the very country that rides cricket in its blood. Cricket itself is so rich and pure that the very purpose of this league, galloping money, is subdued. It offers equal and fair chance to all the players where his ability, and also his capability, will make him the survivor. He has to be extra agile, fit to his prime and able to cope up the pressures. The corporate franchisers only aim is to churn huge bucks, through cricket or through merchandise, whatever persona their player carries. Big name seldom is the criteria for them. A Players brand value will be captialised with their mere existence and the more explosive one is the more weightage will he carry.

The emergence of Gen-Next in cricket must be accredited to the initial edition of IPL. The likes of Jadeja, Pathan, Tyagi, Raina, Sharma, Kohli, Nayyar and many more have wore Indian cap due to the IPL only. Their ‘colours’ during the league have uplifted their chances for the national duty. The likes of Dilshan, Warner and Nannes have emerged on the international stage. The retirees too have a platform to cast their galore.

Mumbai Indians is the team I follow. Although the previous outings are one to forget, the hope and flame thrives. The addition of Pollard, a Trinidadian allrounder, to accompany the likes of Tendulkar, Duminy and Maliga and the excitement that will be produce is beyond the description in words.

Parting notes; it provides ample Amazon of writings to the boozing writers like me. Everyone wins!