equatorMy memories on the first IPL are pretty hazy. It was on late at night in Australia, one reason why it may never catch on there. At that time I was working 12-hour days, and then staying up late watching it.
Even though it went on too late, it was fairly well timed for me as I usually finished my work and then got to watch a match. I remember Marsh, Nehra, Watson and Tanvir having a good time while Rajasthan used the power of Warne.
For the second one I was in London, and the time zone was perfect for me. Sometimes I’d even watch both games in a day, but generally I’d just pick one. I remember the dog, FIP, Dirk’s beginning, commentators on a slide, Dilshan’s rebirth, Dravid doing well early and Symonds turning up with a professional hangover and helping Deccan win.
The tournament being in South Africa had little effect on me, other than a Radelaide Oval type effect where the commentators had to keep mentioning how amazing it was that the tournament had been moved late. It was an impressive thing, but saying it every 12 minutes dulls it for me.
My favourite part of the IPL is not the IPL at all; it’s the champion’s league. A tournament with teams from most of the best cricket nations in the world, what is not to like.
There are things that piss me off about the IPL, but there are things that piss me off about test cricket as well. Some of the reasons aren’t even directly the IPL’s fault, like the fact it has no place in the ICC schedule and that players from poorer countries might flee for it.
But the real reason I don’t hate it is because it entertains me.
Not always for the right reasons, but I know that for a month and a half there will be a show on the TV that I can watch.
It won’t always be a great episode.
Sometimes it will feel like a re-run.
I may not like all the characters.
The plot may mean noting to me.
And in a week I might have forgotten what I have seen.
But at the time, I’ll sit down and watch it.
Like I would for Zimbabwe Vs West Indies, except more often.
I can’t hate anything that entertains me, even if it can be shit and annoying some times.
It’s like some emmy nominated American sit com; watch it, and throw it away. Oh, and remember to groan when there is an unnecessary famous cameo.
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I take it you’re not getting to see the NZ – Aus series in the UK?
Leg Break´s last blog ..Things we knew. Things we learnt.
LB, no, will have to watch it on the net. Can’t blame sky though, they would have spent all their money on the Zim Wi series.
Well you’ve just missed a pretty good ODI series then.
But you’ll be able to watch Hodge and Bond play for the KKRs so that’s the main thing.
Actually, I asked Modi on Twitter which international series he planned to disrupt next year, but the sawn-off little shit hasn’t answered it yet. You’re a mate of his; tell him I expect an answer.
Leg Break´s last blog ..Things we knew. Things we learnt.
That’s the spirit! At least, I think so.
Rishabh´s last blog ..KKR (gasp) win again!
ipl’s better than a t20 international, for thats thanks to bollywood, not cricket.
My main criticism is the youth policy that is forced on team selection. I guess this was put in before the first IPL to sweeten the deal for the BCCI and make it seem less a grab for cash and more a youth development program, but now it’s just irrelevant and lessens the quality of cricket.
One more international per team would be nice.
I reckon English cricket made a huge mistake not going hard on this 5 years ago when they owned the game, and the IPL came over the top of them. No cricket clashes with the english season apart from their on fixtures, but you can find a hole in there for a t20 series. Open slather on internationals and so forth.
let me rephrase that, lest i be mistaken for the The Fake Alex Fan fan or somebody:
IPL’s better than a T20 international, but thats thanks to bollywood, not cricket.
As any bit-sociologist will tell you, the 3 things that bind India together are Cricket, Bollywood and English. This has all three (if Shastri and Sivaramakrishnan can be considered English speaking), so it has to succeed.
But the cricket part still sucks.
Big Sister and Babli come dressed up like it’s friggin winter season. Fail!
)
Where are those hugs and kisses from season one? Fail! (says Appam Chutiya
No booze on ground. Fuck yeah, ppl are there to watch some serious pro cricket. Mr Batliwala is fuming. Fail!
Sandy Baddy babe goes to London to tickle JRod. WTF! Fail!
No slaps, no ball biting, no FIP drama, no Bhooka Naan theory, no sex. Fail!
Kishan Kanhaiya and Erectile Dysfunction on the mike. Epic Fail!
The IPL isn’t better than International T20 in any sort of way. If anything, the presence of those celebrities makes it worse.
Mahek´s last blog ..FICA and the need for a Collective Bargaining Agreement – II
I’m enjoying IPL more than I thought I would; just as I did the champion’s league last year. I admit I have snobbish about T20 and determined not to likt it, but I’m coming around.
I’m still snobbish, but I’ll watch T20 sometimes.
And I can also only watch Aus v NZ on a rough website that cuts out a lot.
But I have no doubt I’ll be able to watch that arsewipe Swann take his 10 wickets about 20 times a day for the next week if I want to.
I don’t.
Dustbinner´s last blog ..Chennai Super Kings take a Right Royal Arse-kicking
I wonder how issues haven’t come up yet.. u kno cheer girls was the issue in IPL1 then IPL2 was moved to SAF now.. no one seems to be complaining.. and then boom the media is complaining there is too much of “security” for the players & teams they cant get get to them. So create a media issue!
I have yet to dip my toe into the IPL circus, but I have made my mind up to give it a whirl. I enjoyed ‘Modern Family’ on Sky one, maybe this will do it for me to.
Ive even picked a team to support and everything!
Life on Limbrick´s last blog ..Buying into the Razzmatazz
I was quite excited about the IPL. It was on youtube so I could watch it in the corner of my screen whilst I was supposed to be getting on with work. And of course it has lots of names from back in the day combined with lots of up and comers from every cricketing country except Pakistan. It appeared to be a no-brainer for brainless entertainment.
I’ve even started to enjoy 2020 so I’d crossed that hurdle a few months ago.
But I’m really finding it hard to give a shit. I decided I was going to ‘root’ for the RRs due to Warney (the obvious option) and then changed to DC (Gilly, the easy option) but I just can’t seem to muster any enthusiasm.
I think I react badly to being told by marketers and commentators I should be enjoying myself, much as I react badly to being told by sex-workers masquerading as cheerleaders that I should be sexually aroused.
There’s no bloody light and shade. The shots of hysterical fans who seem to be a little insane – especially when you consider they’re not even drunk – makes me yearn for a bit of shush once in a while.
I decided to watch highlights on youtube rather than a full match but someone had decided to run a backing track of soft metal behind the whole thing.
If the loudness wars are killing music, the IPL is stillborn. Maybe it’ll grow on me but 2020 requires a lot more concentration and there doesn’t seem to be any payoff with the IPL. Maybe it’s the lack of Pakistani players than makes it so boring?
IPL is better than one day international game because its only 3 or 4 hours play.. but the one day international game will take whole day.
Actually, if anyone can come up with a real reason to support a particular team I’d be delighted. I’m absolutely crap at picking teams – it’s one thing to be born somewhere, it’s another to have to find a reason to pick a team you know little about.
When I first moved to the UK I realised I had to pick a football team. It was the time of ‘fever pitch’ and it was suddenly very trendy for middle class men to act like geezers. Also, being Australian I was always consulted on all things sport and felt I was letting the side down by having absolutely no interest in any sport I wasn’t actually playing myself. In fact, I only became interested in cricket itself once I moved here, even though I once lived across from the ‘gabba. My interest started via a free ticket to the Ashes at Lords but that’s another story.
Despite my general lack of interest, I had spent a short time when I was about twelve following Man U in the F.A. cup. Obviously, they could not be the team I would support as an adult. I chose Brentford for a while as it was near to where I worked but eventually I became an Arsenal supporter. This was because my company sponsored them and I was expecting to go to a match in the corporate box at one stage. Never happened of course and it turned out to be a terrible choice for all the obvious reasons – the main ones being that the supporters and players are a bunch of twats. I soon tired of football except for the world cup but you can see that my choices so far have been appalling.
Any help on the selection of an IPL team would be gratefully received.
I have chosen to support the Kings XI Punjab, I am now an adrent die hard fan after visiting their website twice in the three hours I have supported them.
Sangakara plays for my county side Lancashire
I like Ravi Bopara despite him being terminally stupid
my favourite takeaway in town is called Punjab palace.
If you base your team selections on who sponsors Le Arse, then KXIP are your men
Life on Limbrick´s last blog ..Buying into the Razzmatazz
enjoying the IPL. the fact that there was a full house at the mumbai opener even when both were visiting teams and that a half capacity was rocking the other nite, IPL is here to stay. ignore the sideshow and there is plenty of good cricket and compelling cricketers on offer.
if its not your cup’o'tea, no one is forcing you to watch it.
Hell, i’m with JRod on this — I cringe whenever I hear Warne or Gilchrist or Kumble talk about how absofuckinglutelyfantabulistic it all is, and have the urge to upchuck whenever Ravi Shastri and Harsha Bhogle sing their Modi-hosannas on air — though that’s not IPL specific. But I switch on every evening, basically to switch off for a few hours. Sometimes the cricket is genuinely good — sometimes. The big players, unlike in IPL 1, seem to have developed a liking, if not a passion, for what they’re doing; they take it seriously for the money if nothing else. You occasionally get to see match-ups of the sort international cricket sorely lacks these days. None of it is memorable, too much of it is hyperbole, but it can engage you for three hours — which is what T20 is meant to do.
Beats re-runs of Friends, currently on three different Indian channels, anyway. (Sorry, said the ‘F’ word, got to go throw up.)
Agree, best bit about the whole shebang is the Champions League. Hopefully next year some of these other jokers can give the mighty NSW Blues some competition..
Moses´s last blog ..Video: alternative round 5 highlights
*half capacity eden gardens was rocking..
I guess watching Sehwag pulverise hapless bowlers also helps!
The Reverse Sweep´s last blog ..Sehwag converts me to the IPL
I support my home team RCB! Cheered them through all those umpteen defeats during IPL1. Fuck, they are playing good now!
cb
its better than Oprah. it would be even better if there was a “Henkler Koch machine-gun the commentator” contest during the strategic time out…i would so nail the statwhore bookie Gavaskar and cliche queen Shastri and serve their bullet riddled corpses to the stray dogs. Harsha Bhogle and Shiva, too, for good measure.
You mean you don’t have to watch it? I’m sure I read on iplt20.com that a small puppy was tortured every time the youtube/ipl browser window was closed….
I think I realised what was bothering me. It was the KP-as-a-collage-brylcreem-puppet ads that play as soon as the cricket action drops below manic level. KP in some sort of suit with a hoxton fin or tintin curl (can’t tell which in 2D) whacks a cricket ball to the four corners of the world. We can tell becuase we hear a sitar and a digeridu and big ben is visible in the background. Now, I understand completely that someone is paying for my free viewing pleasure but I’ve got to the stage I’d rather hear Ravi Tourette spout more nonsense than see this evil puppet KP again.
To Herr or Frau Limbrick, if you don’t mind I’m going to borrow your team. I have no other reason that it’s the first team mentioned since I requested some help, even if that wasn’t what you intended.
So, the Kings XI Punjab it is. KXIP (kicksip?) is a funny word to say and, to an ignoramus like myself, Punjab sounds very Indian. I apologise to the (I guess) 900 million Indians who don’t live in the Punjab but I suspect most of them would think I had blond hair, an alcohol problem and a handy racist comment for every occasion judging by what seems to be the image of Australians in India.
I’m blaming you, Limbrick, if our team tanks. I should warn you that I have history for being fickle in picking teams I know nothing about so don’t be too surprised if I’m rah rah-ing for the Mumbai Indians by next week.
Go, Kings XI Punjab! And I don’t actually mind Mr Bhogle too much.
Lesson of the Day: Never, ever run into the bull! (MSD)
cb
“Actually, if anyone can come up with a real reason to support a particular team I’d be delighted”
BG;
Perhaps you could support a team that hasn’t got a wanky nick-name.
Oh hang on.
Leg Break´s last blog ..Things we knew. Things we learnt.
Wow! I am thrilled to be a supporter, just look at this mission statement (capitals all theirs):
At Kings XI Punjab, Experience meets the Promise & Passion, Skill meets Strategy, and the Winning attitude is the driving Force.
That sort of jibberish just brings a tear to my eye, I’m so proud of my boys.
Can anyone tell me who this king is, however?
I’ve been enjoying the IPL in small doses, what has been the alternative this week; England’s struggles against Bangladesh before sparse crowds? Chose the Knight Riders because of their logo of a helmet on fire and well, because of the Hoff.
Beggy, pick the Delhi Daredevils instead. Since you’re an Aussie (blond hair, alcohol problem, handy racist comments et al), you must conform to type and be inimical to Royalty as well. Most other teams have some Royal connection (even Mumbai has Mukesh Ambani, he’s corporate royalty); DD is firmly of the plebians.
Plus isn’t it true that all Aussies surf, zorb, bungy jump, paraglide, base jump, rock climb and generally engage in various acts of daredevilry on a daily basis, all in the midst of putting shrimps on the barbie? Plus you get two superfreaks (Sehwag and Nannes) for the price of none. Plus, the DD’s will slam everyone in the round robin and choke in the semis, which will give you full measure of cheering, bitching and moaning through the IPL — all essentials for the cricket fan, you’d agree. Plus… no, that’s all, sales pitch over.
Support the Mumbai Indians. They got the most ICL exiles. That is good enough. Plus you got Tendlya, Pollard and Malinga (Or as the Brabourne stadium crowd loves to call him — MAA – LIN – GAA)
Dhananjay Mhatre´s last blog ..Short Story – A ride through the hinterland.
Beggy Groin, support the Delhi Giants………………. oops that s banned.
Beggy Groin and any one else who is yet to pick an IPL team to support:
Don’t look beyond Deccan Chargers. Go Chargers ! has a nice ring to it.
If you like stylish, wristy batting: VVS and Rohit
If you like game changing aggressive batsmanship: Gilly, Symmo, Gibbs
Fan of left arm seam/swing? – Vaas, RP Singh
Like classical off spin: Pragyan Ojha
Want to watch exciting young talent? -Kemar Roach, Mitchell Marsh
Oh..and we have Ryan Harris as well, if you like Queenslanders.
with dhans on this one…heart says mumbai, head says delhi. hopefully today’s match lives up to the hype.
Pour in your money on booze, babes, fast cars and wild parties. Go RCB!
cb
If today was any indication, go the Indians.
Dhananjay Mhatre´s last blog ..Short Story – A ride through the hinterland.
Choices are easy for some of us. I’m from Mumbai, so I support the Mumbai Indians.
I bet all South Africans support RCB.
Rishabh´s last blog ..Ye olde KKR re-emerges
Welcome to the IPL Psychomachia — where a bunch of Indian demons battle for one Aussie soul. Muahahahaha!
Wow! My head is spinning from the choices. As I’ve just heard the inimitable Mr Shastri say (all in a single breath) – his luck’s run out, in the nick of time, just what the doctor ordered, grunt.
(It may not apply exactly to my predicament but I was so thrilled at the casual nature of this mixed metaphor language butchery I just had to repeat it).
I’m wavering with my choice – as KXIP aren’t playing for another day I don’t get a chance to cheer for them right away. I have a very short attention span and the tension is building as I wonder whether my loyalty can hold out.
Shaitaans’ punt for the Delhi Daredevils is convincing and as I’m starting to become a ‘balls’ regular the Sehwag connection is almost irresistable. The royal connection is a good try but over half of Australians are actually royalists as proven by the referrendum set by the soon to be head of the ICC. Although, I must admit I’m a bit of a republican (in the non-American sense) myself.
The Deccan Chargers argument from Kumar is also very persuasive, I’ve been a fan of VVS for a while now and I am indeed a Queenslander.
Yet who could resist the fiery helmet and the Hoff as pointed out by coachie?
On the other hand the Indians seem to be doing very well. It’s always wise to hang around with winners, although I must admit that living in the U.K. has opened my eyes to the idea of the bittersweet quest, the English fans seem to quite enjoy heartbreak and dashed hopes.
My head hurts with all the information, thanks everyone.
I’m really starting to enjoy the IPL very much. The cricket has been more fun to watch than I expected and after seeing the joyfully mentalist crowds I feel once again compelled to quote Corporal Agarn from F-Troop – ‘These Indians are crazy’.
BG – Grab a beer, Go Challengers!
Btw, did anyone watch the RCB-RR game today morning? Wow! What a spectacle it was! Entire stadium was painted red with all those RCB flags. La Liga in Namma Bengalooru.. stuff of dreams I tell ya [for a desi of course]. Catch the highlights on youtube in HD!
R-C-B R-C-B R-C-B..
cb