It’s that time of the year again. IPL time. This fifth edition of the IPL seems to have a renewed interest among the populace. I mean, for some reason the average cricket fan seems to be excited once more and is looking forward to an exciting IPL season 5.
There are certain cricket snobs who claim to enjoy only test cricket but I think there is something in the IPL for everyone. Super cricket, retired greats no longer playing international cricket, youngsters looking to make a mark, and of course the larger than life team owners who lend a healthy dose of glamour.
There are certain things that I can live without, I mean is it really necessary to call every catch a karbon kamal catch?? Or every six and four to be some sponsored catch phrase??
IPL has been the pioneer in bringing t20 cricket packaged all nice and raising it’s appeal among a whole new demographic yet it is vilified the world over. A lot of the influential cricket blogs and cricket commentators who are not on the IPL payroll paint it as the beast that will kill cricket. This negative propganda has led to a certain reluctance in people saying that they enjoy the IPL. It is sort of like the elitist attitude towards Bollywood music. Any one who listens to Bollywood music only and not English music is not cool.. right?
I think in this fifth year of IPL cricket, the authorities need not be bothered about establishing it as a commercially viable brand. That has been achieved. It’s about making it the premier domestic t20 cricket league.
The masala that is believed to be essential to bringing eyeballs will be there irrespective. The mere presence of the king of Bollywood, king of good times, Richest Indian in the world, their respective entourages and many others not related directly to cricket will ensure that. What the present IPL chairman Mr Rajiv Shukla can ensure is that the cricket remains undiluted.
Let the BCCI bring on board the ICC anti corruption unit so the tournament can be above any match fixing clouds. Let the ticket prices be kept to a minimum so as to allow all classes of cricket goers to be a part of this cricket carnival. Ensure cricket pitches are up to the standard at all the grounds. Maybe the broadcasters can bring in innovations that bring the game closer to the spectators rather than innovations to stuff advertisers down our throats. The BCCI only needs to take care of the peripherals. The combination of the best cricket players in the world going at each other in a frenzied format will take care of the rest. After all, if the cricket is good everything else will follow.
So with only a week to go for the biggest cricket carnival to go.. I personally cannot wait for it to begin already. You see.. I love Bollywood music!