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How excited are Indian fans (or neutral fans) about the IPL?

I have followed most IPL season. The length of the season is ridiculous but watching Kohli and ABD bat vs the likes of Tahir, Ashwin,etc how can anyone not find that exciting?

May not follow as much this season but I'll definitely keep an eye on the scorecard and highlights.
 
No Pakistani players thus I'm nor interested. I would keep up with the scorecards but now the league has become so boring to watch honestly. Same players every year. Nothing new. All these guys play all over the world in every single league so you know what to expect. With PSL, I get to see young Pakistani talent and even BBL young guns are interesting. Can't say the same about IPL.


Also, it's too long. Needs to be a month long at most.
 
Lol in that logic they should close down Gaurda or Mantri malls too so that people could avoid traffic.Bangalore has one of the best locations for IPL matches which is connected via transport,even when I'm near the place one can easily hear the crowd cheering almost for more 1 km distance,its the best IPL location personally but haven't experienced Mumbai or Kolkata so can't confirm.

Didnt they ban all the rock concerts from happening in Palace grounds for the same reason? And they were not even as bad as IPL. Check your facts!
 
Then keep hoping, even I have got bored with IPL but then I think of some cricketers who deserve to earn some good money. Guess India should ban MNC's cause they suck up too much energy, what say ?:klopp

I am totally with you on the MNC part. We need cleaner air :)
 
This !!!! I too don't know why but I genuinely enjoy watching BBL.........

Something about that league just gets me glued to the TV and I can literally watch highlights for an entire game without break. Can't even say the same about PSL though :(

I gotta garee, the bIg bash is easily the best t20 league. I've said that for a while now but the PSL is a very good second. The two easily have the most even conditions and performances between bat and ball.

In terms of the IPL, well I won't be watching it and I haven't watchedi t beyond the first 2 seasons. Why?

Simple really, the first couple seasons of the IPL were somewhat fun, if quite one sided towards batting (Tanvir did great in that first season if I remember well but he was in the minority) but since then, there has been WAY too much corruption throughout the league.

Every team, every board, every franchise corporation has had its hands in the collective fixing pie. Two entire teams were banned and yet the people on the boards of those teams, including Dhoni and Dravid, were allowed back into the fold and nothing has changed beyond the aesthetic.

I got tired of the Italian football league for the same reason and barely watch the Eng Prem league these days but the IPL seems to be much worse than the lot. Absolutely horrendous and integrity no longer even hanging on by a thread.
 
Didnt they ban all the rock concerts from happening in Palace grounds for the same reason? And they were not even as bad as IPL. Check your facts!

Yup they did and it was a stupid move then as well, conservative politics is on the rise there what to expect from happening night life to stupid 11:30 limits no wonder Pune overtook Bangalore.
 
This sentence alone discredited anything that you might've said previously on the topic being discussed. No one has any right to control a person's likes or dislikes. We all live in a free world where one should have the clout to withstand opinions that differ to oneself.

I may have any number of reasons to dislike something (in this case being IPL) and no one should have any problems with it - It can be lack of Pakistani's being present or whatever !! If you can't accept this simple reality then I am sorry to say but you're the one who might be acting childishly on the matter.

When did I imply that because I am finding that childish , I am looking to control someone's likes or dislikes ? I just stated my opinion, the lack of Pakistani flavor as the sole reason to dislike IPL is childish - It is no way an attempt to control a person's likes or dislikes.
You can dislike/hate IPL all you want, I am not here to advocate for it - you could have multitude of reasons which may be quite fair but if the sole reason for disliking IPL ( again speaking as a purist, cricket is bigger than IPL )is the lack of Pakistani Players then I find that reason quite childish ( again an opinion , not an attempt to control)
 
I have followed most IPL season. The length of the season is ridiculous but watching Kohli and ABD bat vs the likes of Tahir, Ashwin,etc how can anyone not find that exciting?

May not follow as much this season but I'll definitely keep an eye on the scorecard and highlights.

I really want to see the Afghan Boys play - good exposure for them . for me IPL is always about seeing the young uncapped talent - undoubtedly T20s are giving some good finds to international teams all over. I really like how Pune has shaped up - Dhoni , Smith , Tahir and Zampa
 
I gotta garee, the bIg bash is easily the best t20 league. I've said that for a while now but the PSL is a very good second. The two easily have the most even conditions and performances between bat and ball.

In terms of the IPL, well I won't be watching it and I haven't watchedi t beyond the first 2 seasons. Why?

Simple really, the first couple seasons of the IPL were somewhat fun, if quite one sided towards batting (Tanvir did great in that first season if I remember well but he was in the minority) but since then, there has been WAY too much corruption throughout the league.

Every team, every board, every franchise corporation has had its hands in the collective fixing pie. Two entire teams were banned and yet the people on the boards of those teams, including Dhoni and Dravid, were allowed back into the fold and nothing has changed beyond the aesthetic.

I got tired of the Italian football league for the same reason and barely watch the Eng Prem league these days but the IPL seems to be much worse than the lot. Absolutely horrendous and integrity no longer even hanging on by a thread.

When you start reading a post and come across this , you just stop reading further because you already know what's to come. PSL in its 2nd season mirred with match fixing and limited budget and lack of crowds because of UAE is 2nd best ? I wonder if IPL had pakistani players or PSL was called ISL - you would make the same statement . Atleast make an effort to sound unbiased
 
Don't care really, I never watched it when it had Pakistanis either. No interest in any other league except PSL.
 
As an Indian, I'm happy for the IPL as it gives us visibility and a certain presence in world cricket.

But as a viewer, I'll possibly watch the first 1/2 games and the final.

Rest I don't much care.
 
When you start reading a post and come across this , you just stop reading further because you already know what's to come. PSL in its 2nd season mirred with match fixing and limited budget and lack of crowds because of UAE is 2nd best ? I wonder if IPL had pakistani players or PSL was called ISL - you would make the same statement . Atleast make an effort to sound unbiased

Match fixing scandals? Can you name a single match which was fixed? I can name entire iPL teams and corporations who were corrupt. For how long, one can only guess.

Like I said, the quality of cricket and he even battle between bat and bowl (batsmen actually had to work for their runs) is second only to BBL. You don't have to like it but last seaosn, KP even admitted teh same thing, among many other people involved in the sport.

But hey, whatever you like. I'm not here to debate dleuded Indians.
 
Match fixing scandals? Can you name a single match which was fixed? I can name entire iPL teams and corporations who were corrupt. For how long, one can only guess.

Like I said, the quality of cricket and he even battle between bat and bowl (batsmen actually had to work for their runs) is second only to BBL. You don't have to like it but last seaosn, KP even admitted teh same thing, among many other people involved in the sport.

But hey, whatever you like. I'm not here to debate dleuded Indians.

Was KP ready to play the final in Pakistan ? Just curious. :troll
 
10th season of World's Biggest League about to start within few hours.

Indian fans, how excited and enthusiastic are you?

Who would you be cheering? Favorite team ? Favorite players whom you look forward to playing ?

I knew IPL was about to start, just yesterday I got to know that it started today

Mostly check out IPL to see which Indian domestic players impressed and can break into the national team. Otherwise not interested much. This time I will check out IPL also to see how Rashid Khan & Mohammad Nabi perform as I want to see more players from Associate nations to make a mark
 
Match fixing scandals? Can you name a single match which was fixed? I can name entire iPL teams and corporations who were corrupt. For how long, one can only guess.

Like I said, the quality of cricket and he even battle between bat and bowl (batsmen actually had to work for their runs) is second only to BBL. You don't have to like it but last seaosn, KP even admitted teh same thing, among many other people involved in the sport.

But hey, whatever you like. I'm not here to debate dleuded Indians.

Sharjeel , Irfan got banned for having too much biryani ?
Really , Can you list the details with some credible details , I'd love to share the details with a news channel and get some mileage out of it.
Really , So can you elaborate on the quality of cricket ? For example when you say battle between bat and bowl? - So low scoring matches due to incompetency of awful batsman and inability to score runs is making you think it's a battle ?
KP admitted that PSL is better than IPL ? Could you please provide that link too ?
 
I really want to see the Afghan Boys play - good exposure for them . for me IPL is always about seeing the young uncapped talent - undoubtedly T20s are giving some good finds to international teams all over. I really like how Pune has shaped up - Dhoni , Smith , Tahir and Zampa

Its definitely a good opportunity for the Afghan players to show what they can do.

Pune look good but batting still seems weak and lack power other than Stokes.
 
I am a South African and I recently watched the West Indies vs Pakistan T20 series. The players showed a lot of passion on both sides. The players knew they were representing their country and played with a lot of pride. The games were mainly low scoring but the bowlers were brilliant. They world witnessed a potential great in Shadab and at 18 he was the man of the tournament

Yesterday I watched the opening match of the IPL. The pitch gave no assistance to the bowlers. The game was played with no passion. Everyone was just going through the motion. The IPL will never match the international T20 games. The event is just a big Bollywood event with lots of money dished out to players who only there to enrich themselves.

Without the cheerleaders, this tournament will be as dull as dishwater. Personally I prefer the South African domestic T20's to the IPL which has better pitches for the bowlers and make the tournament more even.
 
I am a South African and I recently watched the West Indies vs Pakistan T20 series. The players showed a lot of passion on both sides. The players knew they were representing their country and played with a lot of pride. The games were mainly low scoring but the bowlers were brilliant. They world witnessed a potential great in Shadab and at 18 he was the man of the tournament

Yesterday I watched the opening match of the IPL. The pitch gave no assistance to the bowlers. The game was played with no passion. Everyone was just going through the motion. The IPL will never match the international T20 games. The event is just a big Bollywood event with lots of money dished out to players who only there to enrich themselves.

Without the cheerleaders, this tournament will be as dull as dishwater. Personally I prefer the South African domestic T20's to the IPL which has better pitches for the bowlers and make the tournament more even.

Aye. You've read my mind. I was at a pub watching the game last night (only because it was playing on a big screen) and it didn't appeal at all.

Nobody cares about the cheerleaders anyway, the tournament is dull already.
 
I am a South African and I recently watched the West Indies vs Pakistan T20 series. The players showed a lot of passion on both sides. The players knew they were representing their country and played with a lot of pride. The games were mainly low scoring but the bowlers were brilliant. They world witnessed a potential great in Shadab and at 18 he was the man of the tournament

Yesterday I watched the opening match of the IPL. The pitch gave no assistance to the bowlers. The game was played with no passion. Everyone was just going through the motion. The IPL will never match the international T20 games. The event is just a big Bollywood event with lots of money dished out to players who only there to enrich themselves.

Without the cheerleaders, this tournament will be as dull as dishwater. Personally I prefer the South African domestic T20's to the IPL which has better pitches for the bowlers and make the tournament more even.

By 10th edition almost every single league will be like this. And btw nobody is comparing IPL with international games, infact no league no matter how good it is can ever replace international games.

Of course you're a South African so obviously you'll prefer Ram Slam over IPL, but clearly the league is not good enough to stop mass exodus of Protea players. Ask Abbott, Russow and many others. And don't talk about pitches for bowlers please. The best ODI of the millenium award goes to the one where SA easily chased down 434 on a batting paradise deck. Many Proteas like Smith have already said that it was the best ever match of their career.
 
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Aye. You've read my mind. I was at a pub watching the game last night (only because it was playing on a big screen) and it didn't appeal at all.

Nobody cares about the cheerleaders anyway, the tournament is dull already.

You didn't turn your eyes away? Cover your eyes with a cloth? Ask your friends to hang out elsewhere?

T20 must be catching on with you. Apocalypse is nearing....
 
Well I don't really watch the IPL because there are no Pakistani players to follow. But what is interesting is thatwhen Pakistani players WERE allowed to play in the IPL 2008 they topped the chats in every respect regarding bowling.

Sohail Tanvir highest wicket taker with 22 wickets

Best figures Sohail Tanvir 6/14

Best average Shoaib Akhtar 10.80

Best economy 4.80 Mohammad Hafeez

So I think IPL is really missi g a trick here, currently IPL seems very one sided where bowlers are getting slapped about.

It aldo shows that the PSL had better bowling performances. Look at Chris Gayle he couldn't play the Pakistani bowlers but in India it's a different story.

When I said Chris Gayle finds it hard to play against Pakistani bowlers people laughed at me but then again I was right all along.
 
Well I don't really watch the IPL because there are no Pakistani players to follow. But what is interesting is thatwhen Pakistani players WERE allowed to play in the IPL 2008 they topped the chats in every respect regarding bowling.

Sohail Tanvir highest wicket taker with 22 wickets

Best figures Sohail Tanvir 6/14

Best average Shoaib Akhtar 10.80

Best economy 4.80 Mohammad Hafeez

So I think IPL is really missi g a trick here, currently IPL seems very one sided where bowlers are getting slapped about.

It aldo shows that the PSL had better bowling performances. Look at Chris Gayle he couldn't play the Pakistani bowlers but in India it's a different story.

When I said Chris Gayle finds it hard to play against Pakistani bowlers people laughed at me but then again I was right all along.

On those dull pitches in UAE, even 3rd grade bowlers can dominate.

Pakistan team cannot even defeat India in most of the major T20s, tells you a lot about the quality of your youngsters and our youngsters.

The Ten Best Indian Players from IPL will smash the Ten Best Pakistani players from PSL 8 times out of ten.
 
2008 IPL Pakistani players topped every chart in bowling

Sohail Tanvir highest wicket taker with 22

Best figures 6/14

Best average Shoaib Akhtar 10.80

Best economy Mohammad Hafeez 4.80
 
Now that quality in bowling is lacking and Pakistani fans have no one to follow in IPL.
 
Lol, quality of bowling in a tournament where great Kamran Akmal becomes they highest run scorer.
 
Well I don't really watch the IPL because there are no Pakistani players to follow. But what is interesting is thatwhen Pakistani players WERE allowed to play in the IPL 2008 they topped the chats in every respect regarding bowling.

Sohail Tanvir highest wicket taker with 22 wickets

Best figures Sohail Tanvir 6/14

Best average Shoaib Akhtar 10.80

Best economy 4.80 Mohammad Hafeez

So I think IPL is really missi g a trick here, currently IPL seems very one sided where bowlers are getting slapped about.

It aldo shows that the PSL had better bowling performances. Look at Chris Gayle he couldn't play the Pakistani bowlers but in India it's a different story.

When I said Chris Gayle finds it hard to play against Pakistani bowlers people laughed at me but then again I was right all along.

Pakistani fans never fails to talk about Sohail Tanvir and his performance in first IPL. At present I think he's the least liked bowler in Pakistan and maybe 7/10 PAK fans doesn't want him in the side because of his bowling performance. Also I don't think his stats in T20 against IND are too good, I don have thecstats though.

Chris Lynn of AUS has been touted as the beast of hitting due to his heroics in BBL, though against IND at home last year and many other series, he proved himself to be a dud. Moral of the story is don't take leagues and their performances too seriously. Its just that you don't want to watch daily soaps so you watch T20 drama.
 
It's been 9 years now, but Pakistanis have not been able to stop crying and curb their jealousy before every edition. Yes yes we get it that you are too good to care about the IPL, but when do you plan to stop bleating about it?
 
Didnt they ban all the rock concerts from happening in Palace grounds for the same reason? And they were not even as bad as IPL. Check your facts!

You're comparing rock concerts to a cricket ground?Guns n Roses performed at an alternative venue in 2012 and there was a massive crowd there. But you can't build a stadium overnight. It's expensive and this ground has a great history. I'm not a fan of the IPL either though.
 
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IPL wipes the floor with PSL in every aspect, both cricketing and non-cricketing, so I am not sure why the quality of the two leagues are being discussed. IPL is in a league of its own, no pun intended.
 
IPL wipes the floor with PSL in every aspect, both cricketing and non-cricketing, so I am not sure why the quality of the two leagues are being discussed. IPL is in a league of its own, no pun intended.

Man, I never understand it why but Pakistani fans cannot talk about quality of Cricket while comparison with Indian Cricket.

Since there can be no comparison between IPL and PSL in terms of Popularity. Viewership , Salary, Participation of Best players...... So it always come down to the so called " Quality difference between the two leagues " .

It's a parameter that cannot be judged with evidence, so it's the most important one while comparison various leagues.
 
Man, I never understand it why but Pakistani fans cannot talk about quality of Cricket while comparison with Indian Cricket.

Since there can be no comparison between IPL and PSL in terms of Popularity. Viewership , Salary, Participation of Best players...... So it always come down to the so called " Quality difference between the two leagues " .

It's a parameter that cannot be judged with evidence, so it's the most important one while comparison various leagues.

No comparison on quality of cricket as well. PSL is low standard cricket, matches are close because most teams lack quality in all three departments.
 
Watched the highlights while eating dinner yesterday. Match was absolutely pathetic. As TahirFan said above, passion wasn't there. Crowd was also flat. Pitch was a pancake. Some absolute pies served up from Indian trundlers as always. Batsman were all hacks. Production quality was poor. I remember one moment where a player hit a shot, but instead of showing where the ball went [on the off-side(cover drive)], they showed the crowd on the leg side of the field. :facepalm:
I know it's just one match, but already I can see clearly that this tournament is overrated by many.
 
You're comparing rock concerts to a cricket ground?Guns n Roses performed at an alternative venue in 2012 and there was a massive crowd there. But you can't build a stadium overnight. It's expensive and this ground has a great history. I'm not a fan of the IPL either though.

Where did I ask to build a new stadium?
 
Watched the highlights while eating dinner yesterday. Match was absolutely pathetic. As TahirFan said above, passion wasn't there. Crowd was also flat. Pitch was a pancake. Some absolute pies served up from Indian trundlers as always. Batsman were all hacks. Production quality was poor. I remember one moment where a player hit a shot, but instead of showing where the ball went [on the off-side(cover drive)], they showed the crowd on the leg side of the field. :facepalm:
I know it's just one match, but already I can see clearly that this tournament is overrated by many.

I can agree for all the things barring pitch, of course the pitch is gonna be pancake cause the public wants to see 4s and 6smore than teams getting bundled out for 110-120. But then again everywhere in Asia barring UAE, decks are flat, even in PAK.
 
I do agree with you on certain points. And I agree that there would be some genuine concerns with the format , sportamanship or whatever the reason you might put forth however simply implying "how can a Pakistani like IPL" is just belittling the sport and yourself as a fan of the sport. IPL is grandiose well marketed product which is in terms different from any other cricket league so in that sense many cricket leagues would be cringeworthy( PSL drums and dance by Sammy/Kami) .If that did not deter some fans from how the sport is portayed than the reasons are other.
I am in no way a die hard fan but I enjoy the sport and I did caught some PSL highlights as well but purely disliking a league because of the lack of Pakistani flavor in it seems childish.


mmmmmm, Not really childish I would say. If the Indian players had taken part in the PSl and then not chosen the way the second IPL came about (Remember, the pakistani players got visas approved but during the auction nobody touched them, even though their names were called out) then I dont think many indians would want to watch the PSL, its natural, if your players have been treated disrespectfully towards the country's cricketers you support then you wouldnt want to watch either.
 
mmmmmm, Not really childish I would say. If the Indian players had taken part in the PSl and then not chosen the way the second IPL came about (Remember, the pakistani players got visas approved but during the auction nobody touched them, even though their names were called out) then I dont think many indians would want to watch the PSL, its natural, if your players have been treated disrespectfully towards the country's cricketers you support then you wouldnt want to watch either.

I totally agree with you on that.
 
PSL is better than IPL because of the quality of bowlers PSL has. it's more balanced.
 
Watched the highlights while eating dinner yesterday. Match was absolutely pathetic. As TahirFan said above, passion wasn't there. Crowd was also flat. Pitch was a pancake. Some absolute pies served up from Indian trundlers as always. Batsman were all hacks. Production quality was poor. I remember one moment where a player hit a shot, but instead of showing where the ball went [on the off-side(cover drive)], they showed the crowd on the leg side of the field. :facepalm:
I know it's just one match, but already I can see clearly that this tournament is overrated by many.

Warner, Dhawan, Yuvraj, Gayle, Jadhav, Watson etc are hacks?

If you thought the crowd was flat, then there is not much to say.
 
Warner, Dhawan, Yuvraj, Gayle, Jadhav, Watson etc are hacks?

If you thought the crowd was flat, then there is not much to say.
Yes. They are all hacks. I think that is clear to most knowledgeable cricket fans who aren't blinded by biases. Although hacks tend to do well in these Mickey Mouse leagues anyway.
 
Yes. They are all hacks. I think that is clear to most knowledgeable cricket fans who aren't blinded by biases. Although hacks tend to do well in these Mickey Mouse leagues anyway.

In T20 most of the players play like a hack. Player's play according to the game - does not make them a hack . Warner playing in T20 vs playing in a test match does not mean he becomes hack from one series to another.
 
In T20 most of the players play like a hack. Player's play according to the game - does not make them a hack . Warner playing in T20 vs playing in a test match does not mean he becomes hack from one series to another.

Warner is a hack in all formats.

It's possible to succeed in T20 without being a hack. Just look at Mahela Jayawardene. Has multiple T20 hundreds, except he is class personified. No strength, all timing.
 
Yes. They are all hacks. I think that is clear to most knowledgeable cricket fans who aren't blinded by biases. Although hacks tend to do well in these Mickey Mouse leagues anyway.

A player with 2 triple centuries in tests is a hack. Thanks for clearing that up for me.

They are the best players in T20s. Do you want to see Pujara play instead? Will that be more exciting?
 
A player with 2 triple centuries in tests is a hack. Thanks for clearing that up for me.

They are the best players in T20s. Do you want to see Pujara play instead? Will that be more exciting?
Yes, Gayle is a hack these days. Idk if he was back then.

Not Pujara, but someone like Kohli who didn't play. It would have been more entertaining had ABD and Virat played.
 
I Don,t watch it regularly but keep a eye on scorecard to see if some thing interesting is happening or not
 
Yes, Gayle is a hack these days. Idk if he was back then.

Not Pujara, but someone like Kohli who didn't play. It would have been more entertaining had ABD and Virat played.

Players like AB and Kohli are geniuses, who can play low risk shots regularly for runs. But you only have so many of them. You can't expect any tournament to have teams full of players like them, because they don't exist.

Despite that, other players can hit many attractice shots too.
 
So much cricket that I can't muster interest in IPL. Also IPL is held in the wrong time period. A level exams are in May. I am not sure about Indian local exams

Might catch a few matches when BD boys play
 
The IPL always gives me a good excuse to take a break from cricket for a few weeks.
 
Couldn't care less about the IPL even if Pak players were playing. I did not follow the PSL either again for the simple reason that it's not real Cricket at all. I only watch proper one day internationals, T 20's and Test matches. This razzmatazz combined with entertainment is becoming saturated all over the world.
 
PSL is better than IPL because of the quality of bowlers PSL has. it's more balanced.

So Tahir , Malinga , Stokes , Ashwin , Starc , Jadeja , Nehra , Bumrah , Zampa , Bravo , Rabada , Mills are are lower quality than PSL ?
 
Warner is a hack in all formats.

It's possible to succeed in T20 without being a hack. Just look at Mahela Jayawardene. Has multiple T20 hundreds, except he is class personified. No strength, all timing.

Warner certainly isn't a hack. What's your definition of a hack ?
Most of the players adapt their game to T20 - Even Rahane has to play non conventional because in T20 you dont have the liberty to set yourself in .
ABD , Virat , Smith , Dhoni , Yuvi ...aren't hacks.
 
Man, I never understand it why but Pakistani fans cannot talk about quality of Cricket while comparison with Indian Cricket.

Since there can be no comparison between IPL and PSL in terms of Popularity. Viewership , Salary, Participation of Best players...... So it always come down to the so called " Quality difference between the two leagues " .

It's a parameter that cannot be judged with evidence, so it's the most important one while comparison various leagues.

Did you bother to read this thread?

There are some unbiased posters who commented how ipl is the best one.

Of course there are going to be jealous and biased posters too here, actually most of them who can't stand it because it's a parosi product.

Quality is far superior. That doesn't mean I have interest in watching it as a viewer except some ABD Kohli Gayle matches.
 
It's been 9 years now, but Pakistanis have not been able to stop crying and curb their jealousy before every edition. Yes yes we get it that you are too good to care about the IPL, but when do you plan to stop bleating about it?

Thank you for putting some sense into this. I also cannot fathom the same thing
 
Briliant start to another IPL, packed stadiums (even on weekdays), great TRP ratings, good quality cricket overall - a wonderful entertainment package after a hectic day at office.
 
I am a South African and I recently watched the West Indies vs Pakistan T20 series. The players showed a lot of passion on both sides. The players knew they were representing their country and played with a lot of pride. The games were mainly low scoring but the bowlers were brilliant. They world witnessed a potential great in Shadab and at 18 he was the man of the tournament

Yesterday I watched the opening match of the IPL. The pitch gave no assistance to the bowlers. The game was played with no passion. Everyone was just going through the motion. The IPL will never match the international T20 games. The event is just a big Bollywood event with lots of money dished out to players who only there to enrich themselves.

Without the cheerleaders, this tournament will be as dull as dishwater. Personally I prefer the South African domestic T20's to the IPL which has better pitches for the bowlers and make the tournament more even.

All those sixes are hit without passion? If you don't like something it is fine but be honest and say I hate it. Don't come up excuses like lack of passion etc.
Just remeber India is dominating cricket in all three formats and it has happened only after IPL. Coincidence, most likely not.

If someone has time to watch SA domestic tournament and compares the quality with IPL and complains I can only think of ulterior motives.

Top to bottom this is the best. Your continuous whining will not take anything away from its suceess. For a failed tournament it is odd everyone is copying it. As they say imitation is the best form of flattery.
 
I will add some thoughts on this topic even though I believe it has been exhaustively discussed and will probably never reach a definite inclusion.

From a personal perspective, the only T20 league I've watched are highlights of the Big Bash in Australia. For some reason (unknown and unbecoming to me, perhaps it's the grounds) I can watch perhaps even the entire match for T20 Big Bash if I have time, but I wouldn't watch any other league [MENTION=136079]ahmedwaqas92[/MENTION]

I didn't watch a single ball of PSL in both the editions and IPL is in 10th edition now? Really. That must be going strong for India, but unfortunately I didn't watch a single ball of it.

A lot of people don't watch these leagues like IPL, PSL, CPL and BPL and it's not because of NO Pakistani players, although it might be a slight factor for like 10-20 percent of the people. The real reason that people don't watch these leagues is that if you are a die-hard cricket fan, it's very hard to change your loyalties from a country to franchise based league system.

I mean let's be realistic. Who cares about Quetta Gladiators or Rising Pune Supergiants and who really wants to follow such teams?

I am sure some revolutionaries must be salivating at the thought that this football type franchise league system will cause massive crowd support and success but I don't buy that. Do you really think one day Manchester United or Arsenal will be pipped for watching Quetta Gladiators play Lahore Lions? No one really cares who the hell is playing for who and it seems a domestic competition in its entirety.

However, Manchester United playing Arsenal draws rivalries of ages ago and it doesn't matter if international players are in the EPL because CLUB football is superior to international Football that barely gets any mention barring the Euros or The World Cup.

For Cricket, it's entirely different. The entire interest of the masses is in ODI or World Cup between different teams and the rivalries only make sense if it is Australia vs England or India vs Pakistan. Do you really think anyone would care if Bangalore plays Delhi ? Not really in a realistic world.

However, the more I see T20 cricket the more I believe it is there to stay. It has carved a great niche for two reasons.

One of the prime reasons it's carved its niche is the world is getting short of time with every passing day. There was time when people could watch entire Test Matches for days at a time and still get on with their family life and jobs. However, unfortunately in today's world, if you are siting for 6 hours in front a television screen for 5 days following Test Cricket ravenously, you are either retired, don't have a family or life, or you will be out of a job soon.

Along comes these T20 leagues which give some pomp and glamour, people can see some sixes, some good spells of bowling, the game is finished within 3 hours and you don't have to ponder over the result for 5 days and worry about rain ruining everything and lo and behold! It's attracted the younger generation and people who really only have 3 hours to watch a game.

So these leagues are really popular with the young masses. Add to the fact that it has attracted females to cricket, who never before would have sat down and watched a Geoff Boycott stonewalling for 2 days just to get high as men would have got at that sense of achievement. The females would rather have an Afridi hitting every ball for 6 or trying to hit every ball or have an Gayle attacking the bowlers savagely.

When you have attracted two massive segments of the society, the young generation and the females, such leagues are there to stay. There is lots of money and there is lots of support and the future looks bright for such leagues from a neutral point of view.

The second point it's carved a niche is that it gives a huge amount of monetary benefit to the players. I mean why shouldn't Virat Kohli get almost as much as normal club football player of Manchester United. Why should he get less because cricket is a less popular sport than football or played in lesser countries? The sense of monetary enrichment is a huge reason why these leagues will stay forever, because players want to earn quick bucks to support their family.


Now the prime detractors of these leagues are those who say "Oh Really? there is a T20 league, Who cares". And to be honest I am also one of those. But we must remember not every young teenager growing in today's environment is going to think like us. A lot of these young teenagers actually care and follow the cricket and that's why IPL has been such a success over the past 9-10 years.

Crowds are good, people flock to watch matches and you can get the result within 3 hours. Perfect for small families as an outing too.

So people do care.

Of course, certain segments of the crowd can't be bothered but we can't really shape up the T20 interest based on an opinion of few fans of Pakpassion.

And finally a word of truth.

Anyone who says PSL is second best after BBL is just playing an emotional game. Only in an alternative universe would PSL be after BBL as the best league in the world. We have to face the facts. IPL draws the biggest amount of foreigners to India and has the best infrastructure.

PSL couldn't even manage to attract the foreign players to Pakistan even though they held the final in Pakistan.
So PSL is a UAE based league for the most part with the potential to grow better and better over time.
But to say after 2 seasons that PSL > IPL is ridiculous. Yeah it is better than IPL. Only if you are a Pakistani and want to see Pakistani players.

No one hates the IPL. I just don't care enough. A lot of us don't care enough about these leagues and rightly so. But there are just enough people who do care as well. And they run those leagues successfully. And that's why I feel there are here to stay. Just suck up to those leagues and admit they are useful.

And then focus on the international cricket that comes along.

What I do anyways.
 
Only disagree with one point Dr_Bassim:

People really are interested. It might not be the easiest thing to realize if you are from elite class in Pakistan, but these types of inter-city rivalry is a very real thing in IPL. I am sure if PSL is played in Pakistan, and there are a few years of Lahore vs Karachi home and away matches, everyone in those cities will also be the same way.

When KKR won the IPL, fireworks started going off; and it was more fireworks than we won the Champions Trophy against England. The next day there was a stampede when the CM did a function for the team. Taxi drivers, electricians and mechanics will be discussing these games. Crowds go pin-drop silent when things are going against them in big games. It was only a one-off, but VIRAT KOHLI was booed in Bombay. If that doesn't tell you how seriously fans take it, nothing will.

In our elite classes, people care a lot less (though even Indian elites care quite a bit now), but often that's why people don't understand how seriously these things are taken by the masses.
 
Only disagree with one point Dr_Bassim:

People really are interested. It might not be the easiest thing to realize if you are from elite class in Pakistan, but these types of inter-city rivalry is a very real thing in IPL. I am sure if PSL is played in Pakistan, and there are a few years of Lahore vs Karachi home and away matches, everyone in those cities will also be the same way.

When KKR won the IPL, fireworks started going off; and it was more fireworks than we won the Champions Trophy against England. The next day there was a stampede when the CM did a function for the team. Taxi drivers, electricians and mechanics will be discussing these games. Crowds go pin-drop silent when things are going against them in big games. It was only a one-off, but VIRAT KOHLI was booed in Bombay. If that doesn't tell you how seriously fans take it, nothing will.

In our elite classes, people care a lot less (though even Indian elites care quite a bit now), but often that's why people don't understand how seriously these things are taken by the masses.

Agree with most of your post, however imo something needs to be done about the player club loyalty in the IPL, where players don't keep changing the team after every IPL.

The attachment is not only with the city club but with the players too, it's hard to find a connection when you see favorite players of your club suddenly playing for different clubs. The loyalty to the Club gets diluted year after year.

Now, won't it be a bit awkward if in the next edition Gautam Gambhir is suddenly representing RCB and playing against KKR? When I think about RCB, the players that come to my mind are Gayle, AB, Kohli...... It will be very difficult for me to enjoy a KKR match without these players. Ruins the entire attachment with the Player-Club bond.
 
[MENTION=43242]Dr_Bassim[/MENTION] excellent post/points. Echoing [MENTION=135134]CricketAnalyst[/MENTION], I am sure it is taken pretty seriously. Otherwise a league cannot go on for a decade. In fact IPL seems to thrive on fan support.

IPL (or any T20 league) is for the consumption of the local population only. They are the primary target audience followed by expats in other countries. The IPL/BCCI does not spend much of its marketing $$ outside of these two demographics. Any audience outside of these is gravy. It is India's version of NBA/MLB/NFL. The leauge thrives/runs on local fans.

It is mind boggling how the IPL is growing and has perhaps even surpassed BCCI's international revenues. The IPL is definitly here to stay and grow. I would say the audience/fan base will only continue to grow.
 
Whether someone cares or not it does not matter. Generally when I dont care I really dont. Fact that people come and post they do care some.

IPL is the best thing that happened to Indian cricket. We are dominating all phases of the game. We have the best bowlers,batsman and fielders and this has lot to do with IPL.

More and more people in India start realizing that the other boards are stealing money from India they will reduce their participation from things like Champions Trophy. India will partcipate in once in 4 year world cup of T20 only.

As far as test cricket is concerned India has made peace that they can continue playing with whoever and whenever they feel like.

IPL is amazing and best thing since slice bread. With the size of Indian economy this could be a potential 6 months league. And yes Pakistan players will be in it but maybbe a decade from now.

Either see the writing on the wall or keep your head buried in sand. Old man's cricket is dead.
 
I gotta garee, the bIg bash is easily the best t20 league. I've said that for a while now but the PSL is a very good second. The two easily have the most even conditions and performances between bat and ball.

In terms of the IPL, well I won't be watching it and I haven't watchedi t beyond the first 2 seasons. Why?

Simple really, the first couple seasons of the IPL were somewhat fun, if quite one sided towards batting (Tanvir did great in that first season if I remember well but he was in the minority) but since then, there has been WAY too much corruption throughout the league.

Every team, every board, every franchise corporation has had its hands in the collective fixing pie. Two entire teams were banned and yet the people on the boards of those teams, including Dhoni and Dravid, were allowed back into the fold and nothing has changed beyond the aesthetic.

I got tired of the Italian football league for the same reason and barely watch the Eng Prem league these days but the IPL seems to be much worse than the lot. Absolutely horrendous and integrity no longer even hanging on by a thread.

Are you even a serious poster?
 
Agree with most of your post, however imo something needs to be done about the player club loyalty in the IPL, where players don't keep changing the team after every IPL.

The attachment is not only with the city club but with the players too, it's hard to find a connection when you see favorite players of your club suddenly playing for different clubs. The loyalty to the Club gets diluted year after year.

Now, won't it be a bit awkward if in the next edition Gautam Gambhir is suddenly representing RCB and playing against KKR? When I think about RCB, the players that come to my mind are Gayle, AB, Kohli...... It will be very difficult for me to enjoy a KKR match without these players. Ruins the entire attachment with the Player-Club bond.

But that's with any league around the world. Whether it's NBA , NHL , MLB - people tend to start associating players with teams but at the end of the day any Team in itself is bigger than a player and has to do what's the best for it. If the trading for the player's go away - players will get complacent and will just pass through the motions and not fear for them to be given away. That's what it keeps the players fighting because they also have vested interest - they know as long as they keep performing , their franchise would want to keep them
 
[MENTION=43242]Dr_Bassim[/MENTION] excellent post/points. Echoing [MENTION=135134]CricketAnalyst[/MENTION], I am sure it is taken pretty seriously. Otherwise a league cannot go on for a decade. In fact IPL seems to thrive on fan support.

IPL (or any T20 league) is for the consumption of the local population only. They are the primary target audience followed by expats in other countries. The IPL/BCCI does not spend much of its marketing $$ outside of these two demographics. Any audience outside of these is gravy. It is India's version of NBA/MLB/NFL. The leauge thrives/runs on local fans.

It is mind boggling how the IPL is growing and has perhaps even surpassed BCCI's international revenues. The IPL is definitly here to stay and grow. I would say the audience/fan base will only continue to grow.

Totally agree , I think IPL to make it bigger should host one team from another league every year like a wild draw team ! or maybe even increase another franchise . I 'm sure North East can definitely have another team
 
Some people have made up their own theories in support of IPL 'if A doesn't like IPL it's because A is jealous " Ridiculous! If you like IPL good for you but stop forcing your likes and dislikes on others.

For me IPL is circus show on phattas where any slogger can hit big most of the bowlers are utter rubbish and rendered toothless on flat decks. It's one sided pomp and show with no substance.
 
Some people have made up their own theories in support of IPL 'if A doesn't like IPL it's because A is jealous " Ridiculous! If you like IPL good for you but stop forcing your likes and dislikes on others.

For me IPL is circus show on phattas where any slogger can hit big most of the bowlers are utter rubbish and rendered toothless on flat decks. It's one sided pomp and show with no substance.

Yeah PSL is the best, quality players and greatest talent in the World.

It's like the EPL of Cricket .

Indian Cricket team must learn how to play T20s from the Pakistanis who learn and polish their skills in highly superior PSL.
 
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Some people have made it their mission to put IPL down. Those are the jealous type. Some people are more sophisticated and hideous. They also have the same ulterior motive wishing the league fails but say it in a round about way.

IPL is a matter of pride for India. No body needs anyone's approval. The flair and interst is there. If you like Tests go watch it but dont ask T 20 to subsidize it.

I hope other nations also have a succeeful league and enjoy cricket.

The valuations of these leagues is close to European football clubs (not the major).

Biggest culprit here is England. They still want to run the world. Sooner they relize that cricket will only grow through India, BD and Pakistan better off they will be.

In short please enjoy your tests or whatever but dont go around trying to convince me that IPL is an inferior product. It is the best cricket has to offer bar none.
 
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