IPL Opening Weekend

The India-New Zealand series had disciplined me. I had almost become a morning person, well, a bit too early morning person! Now IPL is here with pseudo insomnia. The opening day made sure that I was up till 2:00 in the night. That is just about the same time when I would be subconsciously preparing to wake up and run to the radio station, just about a month ago.

The matches on the opening day were definitely worth staying glued to the TV. The day was written off to the original trinity of Indian Cricket – Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Anil Kumble. What a treat it was to see them steer their teams to win with ease and peace!

Mumbai Indian’s performance seemed to be a reflection of their captain’s personality – level headed sans futile aggression. Skipper Sachin’s personality shone through the opening ceremony too. He was the only one dressed formally for the official ceremony like an original cricketing gentleman. While the other team captains came in with a jackets forced over their team uniforms. I can understand that Kevin Pieterson and Shane Warne had no time to change having just finished their match. But wonder why the others didn’t bother to change into something formal. Sachin looked the most handsome and charming. The other captain who caught my attention was the daredevil Sehwag. He kept shivering as if it was a chilly-Dilli night at Rohtak Road.

The IPL2 opening weekend made it apparent that it wouldn’t be a T20 of loose shots with players looking for runs just about any which way possible. It will have to be solid cricketing shots to make it to the win. I personally find such matched to be more competitive and entertaining where bowlers don’t get massacred by default.

As always T20 would brining in surprises with each match. What is funny is that most spectators and commentators are surprised to see the senior players reign. There have been comments like it is no more a format meant for youngsters. I wonder if it was ever categorized around age. If you have to look at it from the age perspective then how about Mathew Hayden’s vital presence in the field as an evidence that age doesn’t count – skill and fitness does.

The money that each player is worth doesn’t count either. Take for example the Abhishek Nayar’s three blazing sixes off Andrew Flintoff’s bowling. How would’ve Flintoff felt? How would’ve the CSK team owner felt?

Talking of team owners, the actors from Bollywood couldn’t hide their emotions. Their spirits soaring and falling with runs and wickets. I hope they would learn to not lose heart so soon. Cricket is anyway clichéd to be a ‘funny game’. The T20 format enhances the unpredictability manifolds. And, the heady mix of IPL is sure to bring fireworks every time it takes off.