IPL: The show must go on

Abu Dhabi: The Caribbean boys, clinching the World T20 and celebrating to the tunes of Dwayne (DJ) Bravo’s ‘Champion’ song, while playing cricket in their free-spirited fashion and taking power-hitting to a whole new level, have given clear evidence that Twenty20 cricket has been transformed beyond recognition. More importantly, the tremendous success of the World T20 has set the dice rolling again for Board of Control for Cricket in India’s cash cow — the Indian Premier League (IPL).

So what if India didn’t win? The way West Indies expressed themselves has added fresh flavour to the sport and has captured the imagination of the fans that is certain to stay for now, if not forever. It has shown that Carlos Brathwaite can become a household name and a mega star in just four balls and Virat Kohli, India’s new-age Sachin Tendulkar. The slam-bang cricket has time and again given the associate nations, battling for recognition, the missing spark that other formats couldn’t ignite: where even Afghanistan could spring an upset on eventual winners West Indies.

In short, this World T20 has ensured that Twenty20 cricket was a true ‘Champion’ and that has set an ideal stage for IPL to mark its return. Asia Cup, World Twenty20 and now IPL, actually provides continuity to the in-form players to entertain more when the format is restricted to bilateral series for the rest of the year.

Those who vouch that IPL immediately after the World Cup will serve as an overdose of cricket and will prevent fans from turning up in full force for matches will have to chew their words. Scoring at a rate of more than 15 an over to win matches, sensational boundary catches by jumping over the ropes and back, helicopter shots and scooping deliveries over 100 kmph over the keeper can give enough adrenalin rushes for spectators as much as for players and that it is now hard to resist come what may.

Revelation

Despite a semi-final heartbreak for the hosts, Kohli has been a revelation and the Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper clearly will be the man to watch out for this IPL, considering the form he is in. Hopes have risen in the Delhi Daredevils camp from the time all-rounder Brathwaite, the Rs4.2 crore (Dh2.32 million) pick, hit those four consecutive sixes in the last over of the match to help West Indies win the coveted trophy at Eden Gardens. The double D’s CEO Hemant Dua is already busy giving interviews — saying the side is looking towards the West Indian to bring back their fans to the stadiums. It will be interesting to see how this 27-year-old transforms his newfound stardom into success for his franchise.

Lendl Simmons turned out to be the villain in India as it was his unbeaten 82 that robbed the hosts of a final berth. However, it is unlikely that the West Indian will be booed on to the field when in defending champion Mumbai Indians colours.

“Indian people have a completely different mindset and they want to watch T20 cricket. It is like a whole season one after other (Asia Cup, World T20 and IPL). All the players will be coming into IPL in T20 mode and that will make the competition exciting,” said IPL chairman Rajiv Shukla when speaking to Gulf News over the phone.

Upbeat

Shukla was also upbeat about the two new franchises: Rising Pune Supergiants and Gujarat Lions making an impact straight away.

“Both these team are well balanced and can match all other sides in the league. The experience of (Mahendra Singh) Dhoni of Supergiants and Suresh Raina for Gujarat put these franchises in good shape straight away. They will get ample support and I feel once they start doing well, everything around will fall into place,” said Shukla adding that, the ninth edition will see more fun elements being added to get the crowd more involved.

“We will be giving play cards to the spectators and the moment a decision is referred to third umpire, the crowd can also give their verdict. The software is such that it will capture the image in 30 seconds and the public opinion will be displayed on the screen and then the third umpire‘s decision will come. The LED stumps that we used during the World T20 will be used in IPL as well.”