IPL: ITS BACK
Entertain or perish, has pretty much been the petrol that IPL has run on over the last six years. Had it not been for the fantastic action on the field, provided by the likes of Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle, MS Dhoni and more, this domestic T20 tournament would have been put to pasture a while back.
With issues off the field taking precedent over the last season or so, there really is only one way IPL can move on from the various spot-fixing scandals - by shutting out the outside noises completely, and putting on a show that only T20 cricket can provide to the masses. This season of the IPL - the seventh edition - will be especially interesting due to the fact that there will be several new faces in pretty much all the teams, due to the three-year term coming to an end, and with it bringing about a new player's auction. Whenever there is a fresh IPL auction, the action on the field that follows almost becomes an afterthought. The drama and excitement that catches hold of everyone with those paddles being raised furiously by the various franchises is unique.
That high has, of course, dissipated by now, and attention will turn towards the willow wielders, rib-breakers and bamboozlers with the on-field party beginning with the opening game of the season between the Mumbai Indians, the defending champions, and the Kolkata Knight Riders on Wednesday night. More than the playing conditions, what will be the key for most of the teams is how quickly every player gels with the other, Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma said. After the auction, the teams have many new members and it will be a challenge for them to perform as a group. If the atmosphere in the dressing room is friendly and positive, then it is reflected on the field. Right combinations will be the key to success. These will be challenging two months ahead.
The fact that the first 20 matches of IPL 2014 will take place in the UAE, due to general elections in India, has also played a part in tempering the excitement a little bit; but once the white ball thuds into the bat or the stumps the first time, those pulses will go into overdrive yet again.
Entertain or perish, has pretty much been the petrol that IPL has run on over the last six years. Had it not been for the fantastic action on the field, provided by the likes of Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle, MS Dhoni and more, this domestic T20 tournament would have been put to pasture a while back.
With issues off the field taking precedent over the last season or so, there really is only one way IPL can move on from the various spot-fixing scandals - by shutting out the outside noises completely, and putting on a show that only T20 cricket can provide to the masses. This season of the IPL - the seventh edition - will be especially interesting due to the fact that there will be several new faces in pretty much all the teams, due to the three-year term coming to an end, and with it bringing about a new player's auction. Whenever there is a fresh IPL auction, the action on the field that follows almost becomes an afterthought. The drama and excitement that catches hold of everyone with those paddles being raised furiously by the various franchises is unique.
That high has, of course, dissipated by now, and attention will turn towards the willow wielders, rib-breakers and bamboozlers with the on-field party beginning with the opening game of the season between the Mumbai Indians, the defending champions, and the Kolkata Knight Riders on Wednesday night. More than the playing conditions, what will be the key for most of the teams is how quickly every player gels with the other, Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma said. After the auction, the teams have many new members and it will be a challenge for them to perform as a group. If the atmosphere in the dressing room is friendly and positive, then it is reflected on the field. Right combinations will be the key to success. These will be challenging two months ahead.
The fact that the first 20 matches of IPL 2014 will take place in the UAE, due to general elections in India, has also played a part in tempering the excitement a little bit; but once the white ball thuds into the bat or the stumps the first time, those pulses will go into overdrive yet again.