What’s the story?
The “Fabulous 5” of Indian Cricket gave their all to the game and the country. And the IPL governing council thought that the opening ceremony of the tenth edition of the 8-teams league is a perfect platform to felicitate those five men who brought unparalleled pride to the nation – Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman and Virender Sehwag.
“The decision was taken at the GC meeting today that five legends of Indian cricket — Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman and Virender Sehwag will be felicitated during the opening ceremony in Hyderabad on April 5,” IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla addressed reporters after meeting ended.
Another important decision taken in the meet was to award a one-time exgratia to former women India international cricketers at the venue of the individual player’s home IPL venue.
“Diana Edulji made a request that players who are getting one-time benefit should be paid at their respective IPL centres during the match,” an IPL GC member said.
In case you didn’t know…
This was the first IPL GC meeting under the Supreme Court appointed Committee of Administrators where a host of decisions was taken. Previously, these meetings were conducted under the BCCI alone.
Related: Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) IPL 2017 jersey unveiled
The heart of the matter
The golden phase of Indian cricket between the late 90s and the first decade of the 2000s is largely considered as the pinnacle of Indian cricket. The primary reason behind this was one was the presence of five outstanding batsmen in Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, Sourav Ganguly and Virender Sehwag. Together, they came to be known as the “Fabulous Five” of Indian cricket.
They formed one of the most fierce batting line-ups in global cricket; one which most opposition bowling attacks thought was virtually impossible to dismantle.
Out of these five, four are former India captains. It is not known why current national coach and former captain Anil Kumble, who was an equal contributor along with these five in Indian cricket’s golden phase, is excluded from the felicitation list.
What’s next?
The opening ceremony will take place at Hyderabad on April 5, after which defending champions Sunrisers Hyderabad will play the runners-up Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Rajiv Gandhi stadium.
Author’s Take
The felicitation of the Fabulous 5 was long due, and the IPL being the country’s most frenzied cricket leagues, the trailblazer of this idea could not have chosen a better platform for the felicitation ceremony.
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