This is Cricket my dear....

The players were auctioned...the teams were picked...interesting names were christened...the colors chosen...theme songs were made...videos were shot...players became actors... singing and dancing to tunes...and then finally the cricket started...

The IPL was certainly a risky venture in an uncharted territory. A game which was traditionally played over five days got shortened to one day and now has been reduced further to 20 Overs a side game. The idea was to get in some international players along with top indian players side by side with the players playing the little league so that they get a feel of the competitive game that is cricket...

The tournament certainly had its opposition...boards not wanting to send players...rebel leagues and tournaments being announced...countries banning players from playing for their national side who signed up for the IPL...players getting banned for other reasons just before the tournament started...players being banned for a friendly pat on the cheeks(otherwise called as the slap) and pouring water over dreams of having the Hummer....

but when all the dust settled...the tournament had its share of surprises...the team expected and pipped as the strongest and favourite to win the cup, started strongly "riding" the waves... but then just ran out of gas....falling into total darkness as that of the "night"...failing to meet expectations by a long way....

the thunder from down under (naah not australia..this is India we are talking about...down under in India get it....) had a wave too...spur of victories...then followed by some mediocre performances leading to string of defeats before bouncing back to surprise everyone by reaching the finals....

the "devils" from the capital had a some what similar run....they might have had the orange cap(for the leading run scorer)...the best opening pair...the most explosive batting attack...but were stopped midway by the "kalakal rajas"


the "indians" no the other indians from the financial capital were like the pheonix....a string of losses initially....people just wrote them off..then suddenly started jus toying with everyone....winning consistently till the final moments of the tournament they had a setback and had to settle for 5th place...

perhaps the underdogs of the tournament....the royals...no not the ones from caribbean but the one from the desert land....surprised everyone with a wonderful performance all the way to the finals losing only 2 encounters...and were convincing enough to take home the cup...fittingly crowned champs...

All in all...a success in every aspect...its really good for the international players because they get a feel for the indian sub continent....good for the local players....since they get the required top cream experience....good money....bt whether it is any good for the game on the whole only time will tell...