NEW DELHI:
The Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket bandwagon rolls into action today with organisers hoping India’s World Cup victory will help the competition regain some of its lost sparkle.
This year’s edition - spread over 51 days and comprising 74 matches across 13 venues - will be the first after the ousting of its founder Lalit Modi over corruption allegations. IPL Chief Executive Sundar Raman dismissed fears that cricket fans in India, still recovering from celebrations after Saturday’s victory over Sri Lanka in the World Cup final, could suffer sporting overload.
“The success of the Indian team in the World Cup has made IPL more interesting,” said Raman, adding the tournament would ‘carry on from where the World Cup ended’.
This year’s IPL will have two new teams in Kochi Tuskers Kerala and Pune Warriors, taking the total number of franchises to 10. The opening game will feature Chennai Super Kings, led by victorious Indian captain MS Dhoni, and the Kolkata Knight Riders.
The Indian cricket board announced that every member of the victorious Indian cricket team will take part in the tournament which has been robbed of some of its sheen after top Australian players Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke and Mitchell Johnson pulled out.
Most of England’s stars, notably big hitter Kevin Pietersen, will also be absent either due to international commitments or injuries, as will Pakistan’s cricketers, who were again ignored. The top foreign talent on offer will be Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis, Dale Steyn and retired greats such as Shane Warne and Adam Gilchrist.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 8th, 2011.
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