Apart from mangoes, there is another reason that I look forward to the great Indian summer: IPL (Indian Premier League).
My phone hasn’t stopped ringing ever since the news was out that Pepsi IPL 2014 would be held in the UAE. People asking for passes — seats online sold out faster than fast — and, of course, for all the opulence that goes with IPL.
From the opulent opening ceremony which saw the UAE’s rich and famous to the supersized hoardings on Shaikh Zayed Road to Bur Dubai’s Filli Cafe where cricket buffs enjoy the match on TV over Zafrani chai, clearly Dubai was embracing the spirit of IPL and, as expected, the post-match parties made as much news as the on-field excitement.
A die-hard Shah Rukh Khan fan, I would have attended a few, if only to meet SRK again, but couldn’t as I was travelling. I did follow some of the matches, though, promising my full support to the team he owns — Kolkata Knight Riders. When it comes to individual players, Virat Kohli is the one I enjoy watching (yes, the match also interests me at times).
One cricket buff and prominent Dubai businessman believes this is one of the biggest sporting events in the world where young Indian players rub shoulders with the big names of international cricket and contrary to rumours, matches are not scripted.
Another cricket fanatic feels that as much as the IPL is about cricket, it is also about entertainment. The best thing about it is that the stadium is filled with people from every state of India sitting on neutral ground. No other city can replicate this. He felt that the energy in the “Ring of Fire” (Dubai’s cricket stadium) resembled a giant carnival, with a DJ, cheerleaders, whistles, flags, beverages and pizzas. Indeed, no one does it better than Dubai.
Yet, despite its magic, the IPL tends to land itself in the midst of controversy. Whether it was the 2012 and 2013 spot-fixing case, or the sudden withdrawal of a team, or a certain superstar’s tussle with the security staff, the IPL has had its dose of bad media. Is it the unpredictable nature of the game itself or the sight of Bollywood stars in the stadium? Or maybe it’s just about getting together and enjoying some great entertainment?
Whatever the reason, UAE has welcomed IPL with open arms and hopes it will return to this ground again.
