Indian Premier League the THING

Whatever is said and done, there is no denying the fact that Indian Premier League Twenty20 Tournament organized and conducted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India is the THING.

The tournament that was concluded on Sunday, was easily the best and those who helped to make it the resounding success that it was and the BCCI must be applauded and they could take a bow.

It was the cricketing show of shows. The Bollywood stars, the former cricketing greats and the VIPs who were present and the massive crowds that thronged every venue throughout the tournament were ample testimony to its success. The atmosphere was electric.

The final in Chennai, saw as usual a packed house, among the Bollywood stars was co owner of Kolkata Knight Riders Sharukh Khan who was an interested spectator and who seemed to have learnt and was on his best behaviour.

Worried man

He seemed a worried man when the Chennai Super Kings batsmen were taking the KKR attack apart. But he was all smiles and laughter when his team's batsmen were destroying the CSKs attack and taking the team to a great victory.

The usual fire crackers and fireworks rent the air at the conclusion of the match which also signalled the end of the tournament.

From the players to the officials, to the invitees to the spectators all had their fill and from their faces it showed that they can't wait for the next IPL.

While all who were part of this cricketing extravaganza benefitted financially, the most happiest would certainly have been the cricketers, some of whom earned bigger money than others and would have been singing their way to the Banks.

Cricket Boards too had their share of the booty. Cricket Boards whether they like it or not have to leave a window for their players to figure in the IPL when arranging their Future Tours Program.

More money

There's so much of money to be earned playing in the IPL , that cricketers are willing to skip playing for their countries and concentrate on the IPL. That is because there's more money to pocket compared to the money that their contracts with their Cricket Boards pay.

There is no shaking the BCCI from the power they hold in the game today. They call the shots and all cricketers and Cricket Boards have no option but to dance to the tune of the BCCI for their survival. Even the ICC is second.

A special invitee at the final was Pakistan's Cricket Chief Zaka Ashraf. It is hoped that the presence of the PCB chief will lead to Pakistan players playing in future IPLs.

Pakistani players who are a big draw in India, played in the First Edition of the IPL, but have been kept out since because of security fears. It is hoped they will find spots in the next edition of the IPL.

Reigning champs

To the final between the reigning champions Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders and the wicket prepared was ideal for this style of game. It was slightly favourable to the batsmen, but had something for the bowlers too.

Skipper M.S.Dhoni won the toss and made the right decision to bat. His openers, birthday boy Michael Hussey and previous match century maker Murali Vijaya gave the side an explosive start putting on 87 in 62 balls with Hussey making 54 in 43 balls and Vijaya 42 in 32.

But it was stylish left hander Suresh Raina who really battered the bowling and had their supporters shouting slamming 73 in 38 balls with 3 fours and 5 towering sixes.

When Chennai made 190, the script was already written that they would retain the title for the third year running, because KKR lost their prolific run scorer and Captain Gautam Gambhir for 2 with the score on 3 bowled by Ben Hilfenhaus.

Cavalier blast

But a cavalier blast of 89 in 48 balls with 8 fours and 5 sixes by little known Mavinder Bisla who was involved in a second wicket stand of 136 in 13.4 overs with Jacques Kallis 69 in 49 balls pulled the game KKR's way and victory by 5 wickets was achieved with 2 balls to spare.

It would have been galling for CSKs skipper M.S. Dhoni who would have been aiming for a hat-trick of wins. 'Mission accomplished' is how KKR's skipper Gambhir described the victory.

Bisla was named man-of-the match and West Indian Sunil Narine Player-of-the series. Kolkata were richer by $2 million and Chennai $ 1.5 million. Kolkata, Chennai and Delhi Daredevils will play in the Champions League Twenty20 to be held in India in October between the top domestic Twenty20 clubs from around the world.

While exciting and explosive left handed West Indian batsman 'man mountain' Chrys Gayle set alight the venues with his sixes that cascaded like fireworks, it was also good for Caribbean cricket that another of their sons Sunil Narine won an award.

Narine amazing

When I first saw Narine in action I was amazed with his variety of deliveries. Primarily an off spinner, he has all the deliveries that can tantalize and lure batsmen to their demise.

He has an off-break that he turns sharply, a well disguised 'doosra', a clever slow ball and a vicious top spinner. In fact he is the complete and mesmerizing spinner like the Windies champion of old Sonny Ramadin who bamboozled batsmen.

With West Indies cricket in disarray and getting a bashing in England, it is inexplicable to see cricketers of the calibre of Narine missing out. Had Narine been in England he sure would have added the venom to the spin attack that is now well below Test level.

Little wonder then that TV Commentator and former West Indian pace ace Michael Holding took the West Indian Cricket Board to the cleaners during the First Test at Lord's.

[email protected]