MUMBAI, 9 May 2008 — We have not even come up to the halfway stage yet and there have been upsets galore in the Indian Premier League, a unique cricket carnival that has caught the fancy of even the most conservative follower of the game.
What has astounded everyone, including the organizers themselves, is that every match so far has drawn a packed house at each of the eight designated venues. Fears that the interest in this competition of the shortest version of the game could wear out were unfounded. The indications are that from hereon, it can only get more exciting, what with even the best taking a tumble or two.
At this stage, it will also be worthwhile reflecting on some of the negative reaction to over enthusiastic attempts to oversell the event by adding glitzy props that were really not needed, as cricket itself was expected to provide all the entertaining.
There has been adverse reaction to groups of cheerleaders, especially a team of professionals imported from the US, dancing to music between big hits for a four or six. It was not so much their act, as it was their scanty dress that was frowned upon. Not surprisingly, many centers have changed to more sober interludes. While the move to reserve some places in each of the eight teams for young and budding talent is laudable, care has not been taken to select the right type of talent. Quite a few mediocre players have found their way into the sides. This has certainly affected the performances of the respective teams.
Bollywood star Preity Zinta, who owns the Punjab side, realized this quite too soon and had some of them dropped from her squad. The Punjab side, after losing the first two matches, went on to win the next five on the trot. The one big lesson that will have been learned by the organizers is that they cannot ever have the services of all the leading players of the world throughout the length of the tournament. That is because these players have to report for national duty. All the current Australian and New Zealand players have already left. They will be followed soon by the West Indians. They will have to make the best while the going is good.
