- As the often-repeated maxim goes, the only constant in our lives is the change that keeps perpetually occurring every single moment. As much as we desperately wish to, the constant churning at every level is a universal truth that can never be altered. Everything needs to evolve naturally at its own pace, in its own time, and in its own ways, which aptly applies to the favourite sport of Indians, cricket as well. We are aware of how popular cricket has been over the decades, commanding a following from every nook and corner of the country. The passion, following, penetration, obsession, craze, and ever-increasing popularity of cricket in India mean the sport is considered no less than a religion here. Has it changed for good, or is it causing some concern?
PC: NDTV Sports
- The major credit for taking cricket to the length and breadth of the country and beyond must be credited to the Indian Premier League (IPL) T20 league, considered as one of the richest leagues in the whole sporting world. The ongoing edition of the IPL has produced some of the most defining features of how cricket has evolved and where it is headed vis-à-vis fearless approach adopted by the youngsters. There was a time when the power play of the first six overs used to produce 30 to 40 runs, which was considered good enough. Not anymore. Now, anything less than 50-70 runs is considered below par. So much so that the earlier par score of 140-160 runs in 20 overs has been confined to the back burner, with the new norm being above 200 runs.
PC: Zee News – India.Com
- Mind you, 200 runs is not safe either. The chasing teams are overhauling the target with consummate ease, with some overs to spare. Astonishingly, even a score of 240-250 stands threatened, as the team batting second never believes it cannot overhaul the target. What has changed over the years? The approach to go for the kill right from the first delivery has completely altered the way IPL is played in recent times. Openers are granted a license to go for the kill right from the first delivery. We have witnessed marauding openers tonking the ball for a six from the first delivery onwards repeatedly. The average scoring rate is never below 10 runs per over, which only heads northwards when the batters go berserk in the last few overs.
PC: NDTV Sports
- Of course, the boundary lines are reduced, the pitches are heavily loaded in favour of the batters, the impact substitute rule, and the fearless approach of the batters against the hapless bowlers who are perennially in search of some help from the pitches/conditions on offer has made runscoring that much easier. Little wonder that a 15-year-old boy wonder, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, has struck over 65 sixes in one season with such brutal power, ease, finesse, and nary a care about the reputation of the opposition bowlers. While the cricket fans aren’t complaining about the run feast, the pragmatists and the purists must be wondering where the game is headed. What about Test cricket, though? Will it survive the onslaught and remain a side show? The time will reveal.
