about ipl hot season

This is where the hard yards for the IPL begin. As I write, the second edition has just passed the half way mark. Although it has been an event that has been thoroughly enjoyable, give or take the odd display of excess, it really has been a win-win situation for all those involved and that must be welcomed.
However, I think we all realise that the novelty has started to wear off. At this stage of the inaugural tournament the pure passion and adulation for the game in India carried the IPL right through to the duration. This time around, with two weeks still to go, exhibitions of individual excellence will be relied upon to get us home.
The likes of Kevin Pietersen, Chris Gayle, Fidel Edwards and Andrew Flintoff (injured) have departed for international duties, one or two have arrived to display their talent after recently representing their country, and some have been prohibited from turning up due to a necessary rest deemed by their home cricket boards. The end result is that those various actions have succeeded in diluting some prime talent and new faces who up until now have been cooling their heels on the sidelines will be introduced.
It is commonly thought that in a normal environment, 59 games over five weeks is far too much cricket. Remember this is the Indian Premier League and when exhibited at home they simply can’t get enough and the fanatical crowd support is a crucial attribute. Now that this season has been transported to South Africa it will be natural that enthusiasm for the product will wane somewhat over the next couple of weeks.
There will be some jostling for positions on the points table as we reach the conclusive and prize winning stage, so all games will be critical for the teams but it may not play out that way regarding the atmosphere at the grounds. There is no doubt that the excitement and anticipation will be rejuvenated come semifinals time, but expect a mini lull in the short term.
One aspect that will be fascinating to watch from this moment on will be the captains and how they adapt to the various upcoming scenarios. This format is enormously demanding for them and only the very committed will survive and lead their teams successfully towards the business end. Already they will be closely studying the net run rate situation as that may well decide the finalists.
In my view three captains have stood out and it is no surprise that their teams are all well placed at this stage. Shane Warne, Adam Gilchrist and Mahendra Singh Dhoni have been the standout skippers and their actions and interpretations of proceedings will provide a fascinating sideshow to the bigger picture over the next fortnight.
Two of those captains mentioned have a distinct advantage. Warne and Dhoni have an immediate support base that they can call on at any stage on-field during play and that is a huge bonus considering the frenetic nature of this game. T
he captains can’t be expected to be on top of everything by themselves and the advantages of an enormously competent, experienced right hand man is immeasurable.
The qualified Graeme Smith is providing outstanding sound advice for Warne, and Matthew Hayden is doing similar for Dhoni. They have obviously been empowered by their respective leaders and are revelling in the opportunity to provide additional guidance, support and strategy. That then leaves Gilchrist as a bit of a lone ranger as he really has limited options to turn to and therefore carries the obvious extra burden.
This alone could well be the difference come trophy time.