- The Indian Premier League’s 17th edition has kickstarted with a bang with the usual excitement, twists, turns, ecstasy, and disappointment. The many gambits of emotions on offer during the pulsating performances put out by renowned cricketers from around the world in the IPL are quite fascinating. At its best, the slam-bang variety of the shortest format of the game always favors the domination of the bat and the ball continues to remain at the mercy of power hitters. This edition is no different with the bat simply dominating the ball overwhelmingly when unheard-of runs are being scored in the stipulated 20 overs. Two teams have already breached 270-plus scores making a mockery of the contest that should have existed between the bat and the ball.
PC: The Economic Times
- Two evenly qualified teams fighting it out usually offer competition worthy of viewing and applauding, not when the bat simply dominates the ball. But the increasingly growing patronage for the shortest format means the popularity of the game keeps breaching stratospheric levels despite purists spooking a nose at the very notion of the format’s existence. Who cares? So long as the paying public keeps flocking to the stadiums in large numbers, the Board of Control for Cricket in India, the franchise owners, the sponsors, and the internationally acclaimed cricketers will not mind one bit. No little wonder that the T20 leagues are mushrooming around the cricket-playing world big time.
- This edition has already witnessed some of the most riveting contests between the ten teams in the fray with the unknown Indian cricketers making their presence felt with compelling contributions. However, what is intriguing to note is how five-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians have started so badly in this edition. As the experience of the past suggests, Mumbai Indians have always been late starters not winning their inaugural matches for years now. MI has succeeded in lifting the trophy despite losing the first four matches on a trot once. This shows how much depth the MI has in their ranks to come back from the brink. That said, this year’s edition has a different dimension altogether since the change of captaincy was affected.
PC: MyKhel
- Five-time IPL winner and Hitman Rohit Sharma was replaced by the franchise when they traded India allrounder Hardik Pandya from Gujarat Titans. This move was not only unexpected but caused lots of heartburn too. The fans of the MI franchise are hugely upset with the move as the trolling on social media amply demonstrates how Pandya is being targeted with incessant negative messages. The removal of Rohit Sharma from the captaincy is not being accepted even now. The booing continues whenever Pandya steps out for a toss during the league match even prompting commentator like Sanjay Manjrekar requesting the crowd to stop berating the allrounder. The moot point to ponder over here is whether MI will make any attempt to change the captaincy mid-way through the season to overturn the dwindling fortunes of the team.
- This seems unlikely since the changes are affected keeping in mind the long-term fortunes of the franchise. But MI should start winning the matches and Pandya should deliver on expected lines.
