Indian Premier League: The metamorphosis of modern day cricket

It was only 11 years back that the concept of creating a domestic T20 league in the largest cricket playing nation came to surface. Since then the game of cricket has taken a mighty leap of change, one that metamorphosed the traditional game of bat and ball to a new budding form of cricket. T20 cricket now attracts the most number of spectators maybe owing to its shorter format and IPL is the most attended and most viewed cricket league on the planet. Spending 5 days to watch a Test cricket match is almost a pleasant history now barring the serious spectators who still consider Test cricket as the real test of the game and the best way to play cricket. (Open to Debate!)

What has IPL changed over the years among the cricket lovers?

Well, the answer to that question is manifold and can be put forth in various ways. The country where cricket is a 'religion' and the players are considered Demi-Gods, IPL comes as the annual festival where the mood of the cricket loving population of the nation gets into its own groove in literal terms. The one and half month time period around early summer every year since the inception of this cricketing extravaganza is bringing in a spree of delight to fans and critics of the game. The wait for every new season of IPL is eager among the followers and IPL never disappoints anyone. Every year it comes with better moments of excellence and cricketing brilliance. Some scintillating knocks, some breathtaking catches, some mindboggling bowling performances together brings in a lot of joy to each spectator who never misses an opportunity to watch the game. IPL brings in a feeling of happiness within the spectators as they rejoice their favorite players around the globe playing for different franchises. Also, the franchises flaunting the regional names and playing in various cities gives the spectators a feeling of bond with their teams and the players. IPL has injected much more emotion to the game of cricket than it has ever had.

What impact did IPL make in the way cricket is being played?

That is a tricky question but the most important one. Over the years IPL has brought in a huge lot of changes to the way cricket is being played across the country and also Internationally. The players are now more free-flowing than ever, they want to express themselves more. The fearless approach to the game can now be seen more often, cricket was always more of a batsmen-friendly game, if not it was always been looked in that way but with IPL completing a decade the approach to look into cricket has changed considerably. Bowling is now an integral part of the game as is the batting and most importantly, the growth of IPL has produced some of the most brilliant fielding efforts in the history of cricket, the way fielding was done has completely taken a paradigm shift. Also, another gift of IPL to International Cricket is that International players are no longer enemies on the field, of course, the intensity and the zeal are evident but hatred and anger among the players is now a rare case. Friendship and camaraderie among players across teams and franchises is a popular sight during IPL seasons and even after that on the International arena.

IPL has produced some of the best young talents across formats for both Indian Cricket as well as International Cricket, IPL is believed to make legends out of cricketers and so it does. We are into the eleventh season of the mega cricketing extravaganza and every single day it amazes us a notch higher. Well and truly, IPL has proved to be the path for the metamorphosis of modern day cricket and this is just the beginning.