IPL Cricket

The Indian Premier League has been successfully running for over two weeks. Not easy, it was, for a league to drag the national fan base towards supporting their local league. It was even more difficult for an emotionally driven crowd to shift its loyalties towards their leagues. The question “Who will make it to the final four?” has got interesting with every game and has dragged a lot of debates amongst those who heed the game.

Though it is just an entertainment posing as a game, the primary objective of the league is to equip the unheralded cricketers across the country to cope with pressure, surmounting expectations and to showcase what they have in the store. It is also looked upon as a platform to stage a comeback into the national side by those who have lost their way after being picked in the side.

It sometimes appears inequitable to expose the youngsters to such conditions so early in their career. But thriving here would ensure that they get acquainted to such conditions which would in turn help them while they play for their country.

Ishant Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja have already made the most of the IPL. Ishant was once considered as one of India’s very few bowlers who can be precise and also bowl fast. Bowling fast and being precise always go hand in glove. This was pretty evident when he lost his line in early 2009 and eventually his pace also dropped. Now, you could sense that the confidence is back. He has got his rhythm back and his pace has got better than before. He has clocked speeds of 145 plus in the matches so far.

And about Ravindra Jadeja, I just wonder how many 22 year olds have been written off like him and how many refuted the criticisms as strong as he did. He has been the most valuable player of the Kochi team, bowling economical spells, fielding at point cutting off the singles and stopping boundaries. The time off cricket has allowed him to develop a strong bottom hand that has been clearing rope consistently.

There have been a few others who have disappointed too. The likes of Pathan brothers haven’t justified their price but the tournament is not over yet and there is definitely a lot more to come!

Tags: Cricket, Indian Premier League, IPL, IPL 2011, IPL 4, Ishant Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja