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IPL breaks barriers
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Twenty-20 Thanks to IPL, foes turn friends for the sake of cricket
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Photo: G. Krishnaswamy
Awesome foursome Adam Gilchrist, V.V.S Laxman and Andrew Symonds (extreme right)
Indian Premier League is deemed as the ‘mother of all cricketing battles’ to forge new friendships amongst the leading lights in the world of cricket. And, no better sight to illustrate this than Australian captain Ricky Ponting of Kolkat
a Knight Riders walking across from gully to give a piece of advice to India’s fast bowling sensation Ishant Sharma in the match against Deccan Chargers at the floodlit Eden Gardens the other night.
Considering that the formidable Australian batting line-up was literally at Ishant’s mercy during the recent Indian tour ‘Down Under’, this is something remarkable.
In a way, the IPL is also fast exploding the myth that the matches can be entertaining devoid of the national pride.
But, the pictures emerging from different venues portray a new facet of cricket in the sub-continent.
No wonder, the rivalries are growing between the cities what with icons like Sachin Tendulkar (Mumbai), Rahul Dravid (Bangalore), Saurav Ganguly (Kolkata), Virender Sehwag (Delhi), V.V.S. Laxman (Deccan Chargers) leading their respective challenges.
“It seemed the Mumbai crowd was not appreciative every time our batsmen hit the boundaries,” remarked Rahul Dravid.
“May be, this is true to some extent. We did feel that the 90,000-odd crowd at Eden Gardens enjoyed a low-scoring match. So much money is involved and obviously the expectations are very high,” acknowledged Deccan Chargers’ captain Laxman.
Similarly, the sight of Chandigarh captain Yuvraj Singh sweeping Sri Lankan ace off-spinner Muthaiah Muralitharan for a huge six even as non-striker Kumara Sangakarra was watching in appreciation was another example.
Apparently, when the players from across the world are donning the colours of eight different teams – Australians or Sri Lankans taking on their own teammates, there is an element of aura.
“Australian Glen McGrath feels like he is 28.
Such is his enthusiasm. It is an honour to have him in our team,” says Delhi Daredevils’ captain Sehwag off McGrath. He stressed how these great cricketers are sharing their experiences with the young guns.
If grooming domestic talent by giving them a window to showcase their skills is one of the primary objectives, then the IPL is already a huge success.
So is the case with Jaipur Royals led by Shane Warne and coached by Great Chappell.
Deccan Chargers’ dashing opener D.B. Ravi Teja is delighted with his stint under Adam Gilchrist.
“His advice is simple: Don’t think about what is going to happen. Never show any lack of commitment and just play your natural game. ,” says Teja, who was one of the top-three run-getters in Ranji Trophy last season.
Even the art of fielding is bound to scale new heights as players from Deccan Chargers are fast learning while watching Andrew Symonds.
The critics do feel that cricket in India will be richer in experience in the days to come thanks to the IPL.
V.V. SUBRAHMANYAM
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