Cricket experts around the world denounced the IPL right from the time it was conceptualised. Many rubbished opinions that it was going to set a landmark in cricketing history. They predicted that the unconventional, bang-bang form of 20-20 cricket combined with this whole franchise concept will not work. In spite of the huge interest that accompanied its conception, they said that people’s interest will feign eventually.
Now, after a month of its start and just few days to go for the semis, we’ve got to say that they have been proved so wrong.
You’ve got to admit it- whether you’re a purist or whatever, that the IPL has been a huge, huge success, you can call it a revelation. It has brought together everything Indian people love – cricket (and of course cricketing stars), Bollywood (the Indian film industry), the corporate world (that represents the emerging face of India) and of course ‘endless’ controversies. Now you can imagine the passion that has been generated.
You’ve got to give credit to the guys who have marketed the game so well, who have translated the love and admiration that Indians have for the game into the frenzy and madness that we see. The franchises have managed to win the support and interest of the local people, as a result of which huge crowds can be seen thronging the stadiums. The media have gone gaga over the whole thing- its raining ads, team songs, excited film stars rooting madly for their teams, news channels bringing continuous updates and trying their best to fuel controversies…well,well,well.
So, guys and gals, if you love cricket, if you want to see pure passion for cricket, India is the place to be right now. The IPL has certainly rocked, and it is only going to get bigger.