Cheerleaders, entertainment, controversies, sixes, after match parties and many more emerging players, yes we are talking about Indian Premium League (IPL). The most lucrative and cash rich league IPL is back with a bang. The league which was initiated by BCCI in 2008, has become a huge success.
With the success of IPL, many franchise based leagues have mushroomed up across the globe. But no other league has got the same success and limelight which IPL grabbed. The league added money and glitz and glamour and gave a new shape to the smallest format of the
Cricket Match
But IPL is not only about money and glamour; it also provides a platform for young and talented in the world to showcase their skills. It has also bridged the cultural gaps between players and brought them closer. We had never imagined to witness, a team in which an Indian playing under Australian skipper which consists of players from South Africa, New Zealand and Sri Lanka and that too in Sub-continent conditions. There are numerous instances as Ishant Sharma and Bhuvneshwar Kumar are bowling along with Dale Steyn and Trent Boult against De Villiers and Virat Kohli.
The league has helped flourishing relationships and friendships between players who share the same dressing room for just three months a year, that too from different horizons.
The league has also brought disgrace to the “Gentleman’s Game”, from the infamous “Slapgate” to “Spot Fixing”. The league has been controversial since its inception. In the first edition the Slapgate issue grabbed the highlights and the second one had to be shifted to South Africa due to general polls in the country. In the fourth edition two more franchises Pune Warriors India and Kochi Tuskers Kerala were added to the league but Kochi Tuskers had to withdraw from the format at the end IPL season.
In the fifth edition, a sting operation caught five players alleged accepted involved in spot fixing which created furore in the country. In sixth, 2nd edition winners Deccan Chargers were replaced by Sunrisers Hyderabad. In the same edition Pune Warriors was dissolved and batting great Sachin Tendulkar bid adieu to IPL.
In the seventh edition, due to general polls the first part of the league was shifted to UAE and the other part was in India. The crowd pullers cheerleaders are back in the game. The season was taken aback with spot fixing and arrests. Three players including S Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan were held by Delhi Police.
Now the future of the million dollar league lies in Supreme Court’s hand and it will decide its fate. But, one thing is sure we don’t know what’s waiting for us in future but the
Indian Premium League (IPL) will continue to entertain us and provide launching platform for talented players across the globe.
