A lot has happened over the last two months since I wrote , both on personal front and the cricketing world (at times its hard to distinguish between the two I know). But as we reach the fag end of a long Australian summer (I still maintain that quality of cricket played here is bloody good), there has been a long talk about farewells where as at the same time, a new beginning is being made in a manner unheard of (atleast for Cricket). Yes, I know a lot of players are quitting but well even the tri-series concept down under is. For all those who have followed the game for so long would have some cherished memories with this long but interesting triangular tournaments (World Series as they called it before). My own has been how eagerly I used to get up for early telecasts and cherish the Channel 9 coverage well before the Star Sports - ESPN days.
As far as players retiring, I will sorely miss watching Adam Gilchrist. With his departure, I don't find any genuine joy in watching Australians play cricket. He alongwith Warne were the true differentiators (in more than one respect) and with both of them leaving, it surely leaves a big dent. We also have the likes of Jayasuriya, Vaas, Hogg retiring but then players go and new players are born.
Speaking of that, it brings to us to the buzz word that's doing the rounds in the cricketing circles these days "IPL". With all the hype and hoopla surrounding it, I surely think it will have a headstart which the ICL did not enjoy. If the player auction was anything to go by, we can definitely expect some entertainment this summer if the corporates can market the event well and draw in large crowds. I am sure the BCCI has some plans to rake in more mollah out of all this especially with Lalit Modi being the man behind all this. Teams do look interesting and provided all the players turn up (they may be absent for any number of reasons) with their minds on the game ( it can so easily wander given the stakes involved), we might be in for some action. More on this later.
As the last series down under draws to the close, I would be willing to put my hand up and cheer the Indians as I definitely think that this team has more than a chance. There is something about M.S Dhoni which has made this team fight with the dogged spirit. Let's get over with this on Tuesday (2nd final itself!)
As far as players retiring, I will sorely miss watching Adam Gilchrist. With his departure, I don't find any genuine joy in watching Australians play cricket. He alongwith Warne were the true differentiators (in more than one respect) and with both of them leaving, it surely leaves a big dent. We also have the likes of Jayasuriya, Vaas, Hogg retiring but then players go and new players are born.
Speaking of that, it brings to us to the buzz word that's doing the rounds in the cricketing circles these days "IPL". With all the hype and hoopla surrounding it, I surely think it will have a headstart which the ICL did not enjoy. If the player auction was anything to go by, we can definitely expect some entertainment this summer if the corporates can market the event well and draw in large crowds. I am sure the BCCI has some plans to rake in more mollah out of all this especially with Lalit Modi being the man behind all this. Teams do look interesting and provided all the players turn up (they may be absent for any number of reasons) with their minds on the game ( it can so easily wander given the stakes involved), we might be in for some action. More on this later.
As the last series down under draws to the close, I would be willing to put my hand up and cheer the Indians as I definitely think that this team has more than a chance. There is something about M.S Dhoni which has made this team fight with the dogged spirit. Let's get over with this on Tuesday (2nd final itself!)
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