I have been rather skeptical about the IPL on many counts since the
beginning and being an ardent fan and a player myself it has taken quite
a while to appreciate this immensely successful event. Its test cricket
that truly tests the grit and class of a batsman (player) and not the
limited 50 overs game. One just needs to look for samples of centuries
that have come from most unexpected players in the limited overs game
and its not difficult to find one.
For some reason the batsmen have always stolen the limelight and have always taking the wider acclaim giving an impression that the bowlers and fielders are unimportant so let me start with them. It was pleasure to watch the God men of cricket in the likes of Tendulkar, Dravid, Pointing, Lara, and what made them famous was the the class of shots and the beauty in which the wood connected the leather. Every punch, every drive, every pull, every cut mesmerizingly technical and professional. What is seen now is the great invention of dancing, bending, hopping, twisting, dragging and digging at the ball representing sheer skill and flexibility. No one cares if some one had technique
What has made IPL a runaway success? No one seeks an answer to that. The reasons for success could be many but who have made it a success generates more interest. Cricket was seen mostly as a men's game not the one's who play but for the ones who watch. An average Indian lady would have had Tendulkar's name on the tip of her tongue as a Top of Mind recall (as a good market would call it) but would have found it difficult to name more than five players in the Indian squad. Today it is common to hear young women taking about her favorite team Ir-regard to players.
The shot form of the game has en-thrilled the working class in finding solace in the pure entertainment of big hits and dancing cheer leads and its natural relaxer after a hard days of labour. It doesnt seem to harm the once insecure house wife whose sentiment was hurt by the husbands obnoxious attachment to every ball being bowled for the whole day and she is relieved that she can have her share of the idiot box for some time of the day.
Probability theory once a prerogative of the high net worth bookies is more thrilling and fun for people big or small, educated or illiterate. What has made the game a success is not the game itself but the void in peoples lives, it has in many ways brought out the repressed feelings of freedom that they craved for in their lives, let the IPL cherish for long time to come as I tell my best friend "Dont waste your youth with IPL"
Dedicated to my Best friend - Swaroop Alias (Aparoopa)
