Dear IPL,
As an ardent Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) fan, I am utterly disappointed with the latest news confirming that Rising Pune Supergiant and Gujarat Lions (GL) won’t feature in the next edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
IPL 2017: An emotional open letter to IPL by an ardent RPS fan
I truly feel that if there is any one team that deserves to win the VIVO IPL 2017 title – it is RPS. From a team that languished at the second last position in the bottom in IPL 2016 points table to become the first finalist this year, team Pune’s hard work is really commendable. It kept bettering its own performance, and finished at the second spot with 9 wins and 5 losses in 14 games at Points table this season.
RPS rises like a phoenix in IPL 2017
RPS was underestimated by a lot of people especially after their lackadaisical performance last year. But just like a phoenix, resurgent RPS started from a scratch playing sublime cricket with both batting this season before cementing their berth at IPL finale in Hyderabad.
Some fans were also shocked at the announcement that Steven Smith was appointed new RPS skipper, but it was the right move. Today, RPS are playing like a true champion excelling in all departments. It was the team effort that helped RPS win so many games at crunchy situations under Smith’s meticulous leadership.
RPS’s all efforts to go in vain?
Despite giving a wonderful performance, its key players like Smith (421), Rahul Tripathi (388), Dhoni (288) and Ben Stokes (316) scored runs consistently this season; yet they won’t be able to represent the same team next year.
Similarly, RPS’s bowling has been fantastic too. Both its Leg spinners; Imran Tahir (18) and Rashid Khan (17) have bowled outstandingly well scalping 35 wickets together. Pune’s fast bowler Jaydev Unadkat (22) also gave frequent breakthroughs to the team as and when needed. The left-arm-fast is currently at the second spot of IPL Purple Cape race. Only, SRH’s Bhuvneshwar Kumar is ahead of him with 26 wickets in his kitty.
Top 4 reasons why RPS must play VIVO IPL 2018
#1 – RPS are the finalist. They shouldn’t be shown the exit door next year. It hasn’t happened ever in the history that a finalist doesn’t get to play the following season.
#2 – If RPS leaves IPL then we will miss the nail-biting Maharashtra derby clashes. Interestingly, Pune are the only team to beat Mumbai Indians thrice this season.
#3 – If RPS wins IPL 2017 tournament, then it will be a grave injustice to the fans who love team Pune unconditionally. No doubt, RPS is a far better team representing the cultural capital of Maharashtra than defunct Pune Warriors India that languished in the bottom of IPL Points table from 2011 to 2013.
#4 – Finally, if IPL includes two more teams then it can make fortunes of several aspiring cricketers and youths. Officially, IPL has the provision of allowing 10 teams to compete against each other.
IPL should accommodate RPS next season
As a Pune fan, I am feeling dejected now. Even if RPS wins the IPL title this year, they will still have to exit the tournament following the proposed entry of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR). It is not right.
Rising Pune Supergiant and GL were inducted into the IPL as replacement teams, but if a team wins the tournament then some form of flexibility is expected. Both IPL and RPS need to renew their contract. If more teams are added to IPL then it will be better for the future of the IPL and Indian cricket as well.
I am concluding this letter with an impossible hope to see RPS again next year!
Thank You
A Crazy RPS Fan
Tags: #IPL, Fan, Indian Premier League, IPL 10, IPL 2017, Live Score, Open Letter, Qualifier 1, Rising Pune Supergiant, RPS, VIVO IPL
