It's a fortnight since the Indian Premier League (IPL) began and still we are not in a position to say whether new venture of cricket become successful or not. But there is little doubt that the IPL has caught the imagination of the public at large , atlesat various opinion polls saying that.If we look at the future of World Cricket , Twenty-20 definitely take a position specially in other countries.Initially Indian Cricket Board opposed Twenty-20 Cricket Format in ICC meeting but they later realised that this new format of the game is the future of Cricket.Also Rival ICL f
orced BCCI to take this step immediately.Cricket is an un-predictable game , full of surprise.We can see the same excitement & uncertinity in this format of the game.Surprise results and this is shown in the points table, where the lesser fancied Rajasthan Royals, no doubt inspired by Shane Warne's presence and leadership qualities, are in the running for a place in the semis, while Deccan Chargers, Mumbai Indians and Bangalore's Royal Challengers, who were all highly rated on the eve of the tournament, are all languishing in the bottom half.Kolkata Knight Riders, In presence of Film Star Sharukh khan , initially made a deep impression in the mind of people and won first two game fanciedly but later struggling.
Experts says Modern Day's Cricket is a batsman's game.Similarly Twenty-20 may still be a batsman's game but there is a place for the bowlers also. For example, we were given to understand that a total of around 200 would be par for the course in an innings going by what we saw in the World Cup in South Africa last year. But in a format supposed to be devised of, by and for batsmen, this hasn't been the case. In the first 19 matches, 200-plus totals have been notched up only seven times.
We must realise that in this version it is not just the bowlers who are under tremendous pressure of being hit for fours and sixes every time, batsmans too is under the intense weight of expectations. There is just no time to get your eye in with the result that the slog starts virtually with the first ball.
Twenty20 said to be young man's game.It needs full fitness, energy and fighting mentality. I agree with this. But if you look at Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne and Muthiah Muralitharan & oher aged players ,will find there is no truth in this theory. Older cricketers who are able to adapt certainly have a place in this format and this is evident also from the fact that three of the four batsmen who have run up centuries at the moment of writing are over 30 as are five of the top nine run getters. Perhaps the most positive aspect of the IPL has been the sight of players of different nations turning out for the same team. It's helping cricket world by bringing them together.The latest war of words between Warne and Ganguly was the part of the gamre and I am sure it will never kill the spirit of the game.Also I hope Bhajji & Shreeshant will concentrate on their game forgetting that bitter incident.
Its now clear that to get a score near 200 , top order will have to fire.Same theory applicable to the opponent teams when they are tergetting a 200 plus score.But in this tournament it has been seen that chasing nearly 200 runs become too tough.In that case team have to keep up the scoring rate as well as wickets in hand.At this stage pitches here are totally unpredictable and also dew factor playing a big role.
The IPL certainly created an excitement , all teams off the mark with points and no team unbeatable it is leading up to a terrific battle for a place in the semi-finals.Lots of matches to go and we are still not in a position to say who are the best , which teams will enter in to semis.
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