Will the IPL actually save the ODI format?
The first post-IPL ODI is all set to get underway today when Pakistan takes on Bangladesh in Dhaka in the first of 4 matches in the KItPLy Cup.
Pakistan will take on India on Tuesday, followed by India vs Bangladesh on Thursday.
The top 2 teams will contest the final on Saturday.
The Kitply Cup is not much more than a warm up for the Asia Cup, which will be played in Pakistan later this month where these 3 teams will be joined by Sri Lanka, UAE, and Hong Kong.
Despite criticizing ODIs and calling for 20-20 cricket to replace the format in the future, I strangely find myself looking forward to the upcoming 50 over games this month.
Probably 45 days of 20-20 cricket followed by 2 weeks of test cricket has resulted in this rediscovering of love for the ODI game.
Maybe the 3 formats can actually co-exist.
It will be interesting to watch the likes of Gambhir, Sehwag, the Pathan brothers, Sohail Tanvir, Afridi, and Misbah after their IPL stints.
The match ups between players representing the same IPL franchises will also be intriguing.
Jayasuriya, Muralitharan, Maharoof, Jayawardene, Sangakkara, Vaas, Dilshan - the Lankans who took part in the IPL will be added to the mix in 2 weeks time, and that will dish out more interesting battles.
Just like it was exciting to see cricketers from different countries play together for the Daredevils, Chargers, Royals, and the Riders, it will now be interesting to watch them go against each other.
Does this then mean that the IPL has given a boost to the ODI game? Or am I the only one keenly awaiting these contests?
The following month will certainly prove or disprove my point, however I do feel that knowingly or unknowingly, the IPL has in fact provided that extra bit of interest in international matches.
Just the way it does in football when Manchester United's Ronaldo and Rooney fight it out during the Euro Cup or the World Cup. Pity that we won't be seeing that in Euro 2008 with England merely there as spectators!
Will the IPL actually save the ODI format or will it bury it the way majority of the cricket fraternity feels?
Lets hope the Dhaka rains stay away this week and we get some cricket.
Pakistan will take on India on Tuesday, followed by India vs Bangladesh on Thursday.
The top 2 teams will contest the final on Saturday.
The Kitply Cup is not much more than a warm up for the Asia Cup, which will be played in Pakistan later this month where these 3 teams will be joined by Sri Lanka, UAE, and Hong Kong.
Despite criticizing ODIs and calling for 20-20 cricket to replace the format in the future, I strangely find myself looking forward to the upcoming 50 over games this month.
Probably 45 days of 20-20 cricket followed by 2 weeks of test cricket has resulted in this rediscovering of love for the ODI game.
Maybe the 3 formats can actually co-exist.
It will be interesting to watch the likes of Gambhir, Sehwag, the Pathan brothers, Sohail Tanvir, Afridi, and Misbah after their IPL stints.
The match ups between players representing the same IPL franchises will also be intriguing.
- Afridi, Rohit Sharma and RP Singh played for the Chargers, as did Ojha.
- Misbah and Praveen Kumar played for RCB.
- Umar Gul and Ishant Sharma shared the new ball for the Riders. Butt played for them as well.
- Sohail Tanvir, Yusuf Pathan, Younis Khan, and Kamran Akmal were part of the Royal's successful IPL campaign.
- Virender Sehwag captained Pakistani skipper Malik in the Daredevils side which also included Gambhir.
Jayasuriya, Muralitharan, Maharoof, Jayawardene, Sangakkara, Vaas, Dilshan - the Lankans who took part in the IPL will be added to the mix in 2 weeks time, and that will dish out more interesting battles.
- Yuvraj relied on Jayawardene and Sangakkara for marshalling the Kings XI. Irfan Pathan was there too as was Chawla and Sreesanth.
- Sehwag initially preferred Malik over Dilshan for the Daredevils and later dropped Malik for Dilshan.
- Vaas and RP Singh opened the bowling in a few matches for the Chargers.
- Murali was one of Dhoni's key bowling option for the Super Kings. In fact Dhoni used the Lankan spinner to dismiss both Jayawardene and Sangakkara during the IPL.
- Maharoof was the go-to man on more than one occasion for Sehwag's Daredevils.
Just like it was exciting to see cricketers from different countries play together for the Daredevils, Chargers, Royals, and the Riders, it will now be interesting to watch them go against each other.
Does this then mean that the IPL has given a boost to the ODI game? Or am I the only one keenly awaiting these contests?
The following month will certainly prove or disprove my point, however I do feel that knowingly or unknowingly, the IPL has in fact provided that extra bit of interest in international matches.
Just the way it does in football when Manchester United's Ronaldo and Rooney fight it out during the Euro Cup or the World Cup. Pity that we won't be seeing that in Euro 2008 with England merely there as spectators!
Will the IPL actually save the ODI format or will it bury it the way majority of the cricket fraternity feels?
Lets hope the Dhaka rains stay away this week and we get some cricket.
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Q,
The tri-series is not inconsequential. Both Pakistan and India have a lot to gain by performing well.
( Just check my latest post)
I never said it was inconsequential. My comment that its not much more than a warm up for the Asia Cup didn't mean to imply that it was inconsequential..
But I didn't know about the ratings as ur new post mentions.. Thats interesting though..Pakistan 3rd? How? They were lingering near the bottom last I knew..
This tri-series is a good way for all the teams to ease themselves back into the ODI fold.
Q, I am EXCITED about One Days. Watching Pakistan's innings I felt at ease. This was cricket as I knew it. No smaller grounds, cheerleaders, DLF MAXIMUMS(although the commentators have made it a point to say MAXIMUM every time a six is hit. Ruins the six I feel), Orange Caps, Purple Caps or random celebrity shots.
This is cricket. Weather may have robbed us of 10 overs per side, but the excitement is there. Butt's innings, Yousuf's innings, Bangladesh's late fight back with the ball. Tactics completely different from T20 have to be used in order to get wickets. One does not get to enjoy this sort of cricket in T20.
T20 has its place in cricket, yes. All three formats can co-exist in harmony.
Now lets get to Bangladesh's chase innings.
I agree Hasan - it was quite a pleasant experience watching today's game.
All set for Pakistan vs India now!