First Impressions on IPL

Sitting in the living room and watching IPL with more than a few thoughts in my head. I am watching Rahul (Dravid) play and he just completed his fifty and boy! Did I see that, from him? Well, I sure did, a wave of his bat and the look in his eyes. Hmmm, interesting! Rahul (Dravid), to me is a splendid cricketer and my role model. And watching him play and seeing his fluent wrist action is worth every thing. I remember bunking school/college/engineering.. just to watch Indians play and if it is Rahul (Dravid), well, not an earthquake can shake me from not watching the match. I was crazy about Indian cricket and about him, in particular. Though as days progressed, the interest faded, thanks to the likes of (Javagal) Srinath, Anil (Kumble), Sourav (Ganguly)moving out and Sachin (Tendulkar), (Rahul) Dravid, well on their way, I distanced myself. And today, I watch IPL, with a half baked interest, because it is not team India and I seriously cannot make head or tail of this money-IPL business.

I saw Shane Warne bowl today and I remembered why he is considered a legend. Man, did it feel good to watch him bowl! It just got me thinking, a leader who leads with example is the one who inspires loyalty and confidence from the team. When the person is a legend or considered a legend and delivers good to his word, commands respect and earns the loyalty of his followers to the grave. And even if the team is ordinary, if the leader knows what he is doing, he will revive the deepest and the strongest motivations in the team to form a cohesive unit. May be that is why the likes of Steve Waugh, Sourav Ganguly produced such legendary matches to remember and that is why their teams and their off-spring will be revered. Don't know if I can categorize Shane Warne as a leader in the brackets of Steve Waugh or Sourav (Ganguly), but I yonder, for leading a team from different backgrounds is a challenge beyond imagination! And he led and won the trophy last year! But then, let me not get into all that…

The Rajasthan Royals are about to begin their game and I wish the Royal Challengers luck in defending their meager 133, but let me hope, for Rahul (Dravid) and ofcourse for Anil (Kumble), that they triumph. I have not heard who this Swapnil Asnodkar is and the first ball is a dot by Praveen Kumar. Out! Way to go buddy! Surprises, surprises and it is like I am just born and watching cricket for the first time, is Robin Uttapa a wicket keeper? Or are my eyes behaving funny! ?No idea… well, let me watch the match, will come back on the impressions later...

Hmmm, So, Royal Challengers won in royal style! what can I say? Anil Kumble picked five for five in three overs and am I not glaaad? The smiling assasin did it all again, in the new offspring of cricket, that too after six months into his retirement. This might not be much in the other nations, but in India, retirement has a different ring to it and age has an implication that cannot be shunned easily. So, I would say, I am pretty impressed by the Jumbo's performance. Thought defending 133 in a twenty-twenty is a daunting task, but it looked easy. Unlike the conventional T20 matches, this IPL looks like a challenge to the grit of the batsmen and the conniving thoughts of the bowlers, for it is not held in India (as it belongs, if I might say so) where the batsmen will have a free rein, but now, the batsmen will have to work for runs just as the bowlers will have to bend their back to get the wickets, evening the odds making it more thrilling. A disappointing performance from the defending champions and I must say it has been one-sided. And the acceptance speech from the man-of-the-match, "Rahul Dravid" has been tad bit disappointing, but then, that is him, straight, point blank, no pretenses and brutally honest.

But, I am not so impressed with this IPL, what with all these BollyWood stars hanging round the crowd making it a media circus, as though our cricketers are not sufficient to bring in the media attention. More than that, the pendulum swing is short and tricky. And it is not having Harsha (Bhogle) in it. There is no cricket, without Harsha Bhogle. :(, Thank God, there is Ravi (Shastri) and Sunil (Gavaskar), else, I don't think I would have managed to sit for three hours! It is a T20, why am I not enjoying it? For, it is not team India, so it is just not the same. Just glad that it falls before the T20 world cup and I cannot wait for it! But, I will try and catch as much of the cricket action as possible, it certainly is better than the fake reality shows being tele casted these days! And certainly it does not give me the flavor or essence of IPL, which, as the name suggests belongs to the streets of India, with the cricket frenzy and the high-fever of roars, noise, fireworks and above all, just the thrill of the raw emotions running onto the streets for every four and six and wicket. Man, do I miss that!