IPL IV - A Loser already ?

It seems to be quite a sedate start to the IPL Season IV and it includes the opening ceremony blemishes. The IPL ad rates this season had rocketed 30-40% since last year owing to the current cricket frenzies in India (All thanks to MSD’s pack of wolves). But the tournament itself is not quite living up to the expectation with a string of low scores….new team combinations…. oddly scheduled matches and Siddhu’s mundane commentary coupled with cheesy metaphors ;)

Also 3 out of the first 5 matches turned out to be sleep boosters. In one match you saw Malinga devouring down wickets as if the WC2011 final loss has left him famished. I am afraid to say this but Malinga is turning out to be the most boringly-destructive bowler that the IPL has seen. He runs in bowls from the same height, at the same length, same line…even the batsmen play the same banal shots (gets yorked) and eventually see their furniture laid on earth. For God’s sake try and find different ways to give your wickets to the Slinga!

I have a feeling somehow that this IPL will turn out to be a damp squib…Here is my set of reasons for it…

Loss of appetite: After the stupendous achievement of India in World Cup 2011 the Indian public is more than just ‘well fed’ at this point of time. The IPL season IV within days of this victory has turned out be like a chocolate cake served at the end of a sumptuous meal which has left you chocking till the larynx ;). The Indian’s need some rest until they can devour any more of the cricketing excitement.

The “Who’s-Where” Syndrome: You have had Kings XI Punjab tottering at 9 for 3. Most Punjab fans were expecting Yuvraj to save the day for them…until they realized he was in opposite colours thatching their downfall as captain of Pune Warriors. Fresh teams…new combinations…new look is all good for the game but all these have left the fans mystified. It will take some time to come to terms with “Who’s Where” and where to put in their loyalties.

Not quite the ‘Supporting Team India’ feeling: After rooting for Men in Blue all through the WC 2011 the fans are finding it difficult to support the state teams as their star players are chopped and shopped by the IPL owners. They are unable to decide whether to back a Gambhir , Dhoni or put their money on Yuvraj….because they have seen all three bathing in champagne together hardly a week ago.

Economics says so: The IPL’s value stands at $3.67 billion, down from $4.13 billion a year ago. A mind boggling drop of $460 million for a league that was seen to be growing at the rate of knots. One Tweet from ‘Lalit-IPL-Modi’, obscure ownership patterns of many IPL franchisees and bid rigging allegations have affected the credibility of this league. But nothing to agonize….public memory as they say is pretty short lived

Lack luster team combinations: 5 Out of the 10 teams Deccan Chargers, Kings XI Punjab, Delhi Daredevils, Rajasthan Royals, and Bangalore Royal Challengers seem to have lack luster squads. Unheard international bowlers, teams stacked with either all batsmen or all bowlers have weakened public interest in the initial games. With each team just played1-2 matches each and still contemplating of the right balance for the side things might head northward as the tournament shapes up.

As I write this I see a unheard-unseen-Valthaty force everyone to take notice of him…I see the Pune Warriors almost manage to lose an easy game….Things seem to turn better by the minute ….As the days fly by I may turn out to be a victim of ‘foot-in-the-mouth’ syndrome ….but as of now things are not quite as electrifying as it used to be during the Lalit Modi days ;)

Oops….almost forgot…we miss his tweets. Maybe that’s the missing spark this IPL needs ;)