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IPL saw stars like Virat Kohli and Yuvraj Singh fail, but 2018 on will be different

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S Kannan
S KannanMay 21, 2017 | 10:49

IPL saw stars like Virat Kohli and Yuvraj Singh fail, but 2018 on will be different

It has been a giant performance from the Rising Pune side as they meet seasoned champions Mumbai Indians in the final of the Indian Premier League, which completes 10 years on Sunday. As the eight travel-weary teams criss-crossed the length and breadth of the country, the final week was exciting, though a few would have imagined Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad would miss the bus.

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For sure, fans in Hyderabad would be disappointed that no team from south of the Vindhyas — Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bangalore — have not made it to the finale. However, that should not dampen their spirit, as the fare on view will be exciting. Rohit Sharma versus Steve Smith as captains and with MS Dhoni showing that he can still win matches for Pune, it’s a title clash which will make for compelling viewing.

With T20 cricket providing not just instant thrill but becoming a staple diet for many cricket fans around the globe, this format is going to be played all over the world even more. From here till the time the next edition of the IPL commences, there are a whole lot of things which are going to change.

As it were, fans of the Steve Smith-led Pune side are sad the team will be disbanded after Sunday’s final. It’s a bit strange how the dynamics of the IPL work. But then, two years ago when the Pune side and Gujarat Lions filled in the vacancies created by the two-year suspension of Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals, it was clear that they were here for just two years.

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Fans of the Steve Smith-led Pune side are sad the team will be disbanded after Sunday’s final.

With Kochi Tuskers, a former team, winning their arbitration case against the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently and making it clear they are not interested in compensation but a return to the IPL, interesting times are ahead. On the face of it, one year to go for the next IPL may seem long.

Looking at how the IPL format has been a hit at home and with huge scope for expansion, there is every reason this tournament can get bigger. Viewed from a logistic point, the IPL has succeeded despite so much of travel involved and how teams cope with crazy timings and living out of suitcases in hotels. But then, such is the lure of the lucre, none minds the hard grind as even fringe players are getting rewarded.

On one hand, you have the heavyweight superstars who make a good livelihood out of the IPL. At the other end of the spectrum you have a player like Zaheer Khan who does not play any cricket throughout the year and then comes to the IPL ready to bowl four overs in a match!

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To be sure, the return of Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals in 2018 will be interesting. Their fan base has not been eroded despite the two-year break. One could well see Dhoni back to his original IPL team and there are any number of players who can grab the spots in the Rajasthan side.

An IPL featuring ten teams from next year onwards is not futuristic but realistic. Despite the dirt in the BCCI yet to be cleaned, as far as the IPL goes, everyone puts in 100 per cent effort to ensure matches are held in the best possible way.

There was pessimism in the air how some state associations would “behave” while holding matches this year. Barring Kanpur, where there were reports of “betting” and bookies being arrested, the IPL has been a good event this year.

Increasing the teams in 2018 is not just a strong possibility. The way the stock markets have bounced back in India and the economy is in good shape, there are any number of sponsors waiting to queue up for the IPL.

How the character of the teams changes will be interesting. Whether all players are released and fresh auctions take place for the next IPL or teams are allowed to retain six players, nothing is clear at this point of time. Just as club football is constantly evolving in Europe, the IPL could well see a fresh look in 2018 with migration of players.

One may think the IPL is a tournament for just superstars. The way Virat Kohli and Yuvraj Singh flopped this year along with other marquee names like Chris Gayle and Glenn Maxwell, the IPL showed relatively unknown youngsters from India could steal the spotlight. With England all set to host a T20 event from next year on a city-based franchise system, there is mention of 20 teams competing in it.

In India, sponsors and corporates may be reluctant to fund Olympic sport, but an enlarged IPL will only see more people line up to spend the big bucks. That’s the power of modern day club cricket.

(Courtesy of Mail Today.)

Last updated: May 21, 2017 | 10:58
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