Geoffrey Boycott heaps praise on the IPL

Geoffrey Boycott

With plenty of former cricketers and pundits taking turns to blame the slam-bang Indian Premier League (IPL) for India’s prolonged poor show in Test cricket, England batting great Geoffrey Boycott feels the annual tournament has created a huge “professional impact”.

IPL is good for Indian cricket

“India are likely to rule the one-day roost for a while longer, while their Test form remains poor,” Boycott wrote in his latest column for gocricket.com.

“The huge professional impact of the Indian Premier League has ensured that every Indian kid currently growing up with dreams of playing cricket some day is thinking largely, if not exclusively, of the limited-overs format. It is more than likely that the shots that they practice these days are the scoop or the reverse sweep, quite unthinkable when we were growing up,” the 73-year-old further wrote.

Many renowned commentators and columnists have expressed their displeasure against the T20 format claiming that it threatens the longevity and quality of other two formats.

“Twenty20 cricket may still have its detractors, but I am not among them. I think the IPL has been a wonderful thing for the game, and it has brought to the limelight players who would otherwise have escaped notice. It has also, probably, forever changed the way cricket will be played, and the sooner we all realise and accept that, the better,” mentioned Boycott.

Virat Kohli’s footwork, a concern

Predicting India to gain “invaluable experience” on Australian conditions in their tour scheduled just before the World Cup down under, the outspoken former cricketer predicted that India might bring back Ishant Sharma for the mega event.

“India, meanwhile, will probably continue with the team as it is, with Ishant Sharma coming back,” he said on the back of the ODI series involving India and England.

Indian star batsman Virat Kohli is having a forgettable England tour with not even a single half century to his name from the Test and ODI series. Speaking on the right hander’s problems, the man with 108 Test caps said the Delhi-lad needs to improve his footwork.

“What they need to do, though, is get Virat Kohli back in form. His current poor footwork is making him feel for the ball outside off stump because his bat is too far away from his body, so that remains an area of concern,” stated Boycott.