IPL II - Let the games begin

After creating a revolution in the field of cricket with the inaugural season of the IPL T20 that marked crispness, fun, entertainment, bollywood fantasy, thrill and excitement which ended up as cricket’s answer to the EPL and other football leagues, the time has now begun to recreate the genre. This time around it’s even bigger and grander with the debutant Englishmen claiming the highest bid of 1.5 m $.

The teams are thoroughly refreshed and it’s a million dollar question to answer as who would be lucky to lift the trophy this time around. Expectations are high from the new ones in, that inc Flintoff, Pieterson, Jesse Ryder, Duminy and Mortaza. Perhaps there are always obstacles on the way to any big event. And so did the IPL suffer without knowing whether it would be able to stage the tournament in India after the Mumbai attacks that questioned security and the ongoing election of the biggest democracy in the world. But it was one man of optimism who was able to manage the crises and take quick decisions in moving the extravagant event to South Africa in a span of just three weeks. He is as u all know Lalit Modi, the Commissioner IPL who never left heart in staging his brain child for the second time as scheduled.

All the teams shifting to Cape Town two days before the battle can begin and moving on a promotional parade for over two miles on open roof buses waving hands to the people of South Africa certainly awoke a new era of cricketing. It was not just for the players but also for the star studded franchise owners who made it even interesting. And back home in India, ppl putting the election run on a slowdown and looking out for their new interest though not being staged live , the media has promised to broadcast every single happening at Cape Town. Debates aplenty taking place on the news portals and promo videos being aired deriving support for their franchise, is this what we’ve all been waiting for!!! Certainly yes, with Lalit Modi declaring , “ Let the games begin”.

The opening day of IPL II witnessed Mumbai Indians bt Chennai Super Kings by 19 runs and Royal Challengers marking an emphatic win of 75 runs over the defending champions Rajasthan Royals at the Newlands Stadium, Cape Town, SA. It was a great upset for the defending champions who were bowled out for the lowest total in IPL ( 58 runs) . And after which, the opening ceremony commenced in the presence of the South African Premier, setting the skies to glitter adding to the performances of the South African spice. It was indeed a pleasure to sit back at home and keep watching, forgetting food and sleep. And day one was cherished by the match winners being Sachin( 59*), Dravid(66) and Kumble, picking up five for five.

Lot more of excitement are in store for the next 36 days. Keep watching SET MAX every evening to know who would eventually emerge victorious on the 24th May, 2009( Don’t have to say but anyways). And a kind request , amidst all the fun please don’t miss out in exhibiting ur right to vote and to be a part of the world’s biggest democratic exercise.