- The mere mention of cricket in India evokes such frenzy among the millions of crazy fans that it’s hard to explain the feelings being exhibited with such gay abandon. Of course, the whole world is aware of how cricket is considered no less than religion here when every Indian citizen becomes an expert of sorts dishing out opinions and statistics with consummate ease. As you are aware, Indian liking for the game took off soon after winning the Prudential World Cup 50-over tournament in 1983. It’s well documented that Indians had a great affinity for cricket even before the World Cup triumph but got further consolidated when Kapil Dev-led team beat the mighty West Indies in the finals. The rest as they say is history.
PC: Moneycontrol
- Since that famous win in 1983, the cricketing landscape of India and the whole world underwent a metamorphosis that’s done the sport a great service making it one of the most recognized, followed, and admired. The sport underwent a tremendous transformation with the advent of white ball cricket, coloured clothing, day-night matches played under the floodlights, different cameras making television viewing pleasurable, and the excitement quotient simply leapfrogged several notches much to the delight of the officials. The Board of Control of India (BCCI) mandarins must be applauded for latching on to the opportunity by initiating a slew of measures that not only attracted multitudes of followers but also helped many sponsors to besiege the sport.
PC: ESPNcricinfo
- What proved to be a game-changer was the constantly evolving scenario making cricket reinvent itself from the classical five-day Tests to 50-over one-day matches to the most popular format of late, the T20s. The present generation simply latches on to the most popular format since the thrill commences right from the word go till it lasts. Little wonder, the Indian Premier League (IPL) T20 has become the most sought-after sporting spectacle in the world. The amount of money involved in the format is mindboggling with even more big business conglomerates willing to pump in more moolah. It’s amazing to watch how a young talented cricketer will become an instant rich man when he lands up with a lucrative contract to ply in the cash-rich IPL.
PC: Times of India
- Several new innovations associated with the IPL have completely altered the way T20 is played of late. Yes, the purists and old-timers brought on the steady diet of classical format would smirk and scoff at the T20 calling it no cricket at all. Nonetheless, the fact of the matter is proliferating leagues around the world amplifies the preference of fans who wish to have a blast for 3 hours or so. The non-stop entertainment provided by the awesome display of fireworks with fours and sixers raining torrentially is what the fans have come to expect from the IPL/other leagues around the world. Every cricketer worth his salt from around the world would wishes to participate in the IPL prepared to forego central contracts. That’s the power of the IPL for you.
